What is it? Guess and see if you are right next Monday, February 27, 2012!

This one is in honor of President’s Day!

Can you recognize this presidential hopeful?

The question is: Who were Landon and Knox and when and against whom did they run?

Hint: These Republicans only carried the states of Maine and Vermont!

Second of Six Themes

Here is the second of the six themes the Museum has decided are essential parts of York’s history. We are seaking reaction on these themes from our audience so let us know what you think!

    Periodic waves of newcomers have altered the character of the town.

English settlers immigrated to York beginning in the 1630s seeking economic gain. Settlers from Massachusetts altered York’s character by introducing Puritanism. In the 1660s Scottish prisoners arrived in the area as indentured servants to work in saw and grist mills. Once their indentureships were paid off some of these immigrants settled in York. Southern New England opportunists replace failed merchant families in the early 19^th century. In the 20^th summer vacationers fall in love with York Beach and York Harbor, buy property and settle as year-round residents.

Can you relate to this theme? What might be some of the most engaging ways for us to interpret this theme?

What is it? It’s a wallet!

Although this has the appearance of a schoolgirl’s sampler, Luther Warfield was a married 30-year old man when this was made.

You can get an idea of how the wallet would have looked in its finished state by looking at the above example (same wallet, two views). This wallet was made by Abigail Wallworth (1840-1865), but usually needleworked wallets are associated with men.

Key Themes in York History

This is the first of six key themes the staff at Old York have identified. The goal is to use these themes to create an Interpretive Plan that will be a framework for everything we do from exhibits and programing to collections and our archives.

                  York is where Maine began.  

 York was founded in the 1630s by agents of Sir Fernando Gorges with  intentions of creating a city at the heart of a commercial empire motivated by economic gain. It remained the capital of Maine until the first quarter of the 19^th century, acting as the center for colonial administration and justice. Puritan Massachusetts took over in 1652 slowly transforming York into a center of Puritan culture. Located on the outer edge of settlement in northern Massachusetts, York faced Native American raids during the French and Indian Wars including the Candlemas Raid of 1692 that nearly destroyed the town.In the late 1740’s York became a springboard for the movement that began a more personal and emotional style of Christianity across New England, known as the Great Awakening. As York families grew, the next generations moved north, settling many of Maine’s new towns.

Let us know what you think of this first theme. Does it relate to you, get you excited, make you think of stories? How would you see us using it for programing, exhibits, tours or to engage our community in an entirely new way?

What is it? A valentine!

Unfortunately the identity of the writer and his true love have been lost to time, although his sentiments are not. Inscribed along the maze is the following poem: “Crossing, winding, turned in and out, Ne’er ceasing? …turning round about. And as you see it links…crosses…/so has thy beauty proved to me a share/For by the influence of true love I find/I am unanswered? both head and Mind. Then fairest Creature look with pity down. And do not on thy faithful Servant frown/But pardon him who does thy Love desire/And much delights thy beauty…For…so dear. Then let thy beauteous rays shine forth in comfort from a lovely face, That on my ravish’d… rais’d by thy…pass to bliss forget?/In a…kiss?/that with love may…in Heven [sic-Heaven]/And evermore be…/What so these crosses in the knot may be? dissolved? when both? in concert move/A true Love’s…you…bend,/An Emblem of my love without an end;/When first I saw you you did sliley play/The gentle Thief-and stole my Hear away/Render me mine again and keep? your own/Too [sic-two] is too much for you, Since I have none. But if you refuse I’ll say “Thou art/A fair faced Creature with a double Heart.”/Lovers well know, what Grief it is to part/When between them both there lieth but one Heart.

What is it? A Tiger’s Claw!

Old York benefactress Miss Elizabeth Bishop Perkins traveled to every continent except Australia in the late 19th-mid 20th centuries. Among the fascinating souvenirs she brought back to York is this bronze dragon pendant which encases a tiger’s claw.

The claw may be from the Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti), also called Corbett’s tiger, which is found in Cambodia (Kampuchia), China, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Vietnam. The pendant’s style suggests that is was probably from Miss Perkins’ travels to Cambodia (ca. 1905-1922). Tiger claws were worn in Asia to ward off evil spirits. Tiger claw jewelry became popular in Europe after Queen Victoria became the Empress of India in 1876.

 

What is it? Buddhist rosary beads! Great answers from Jenny, Beth and Sandie!

Found in Elizabeth Bishop Perkins’ (1869-1952) jewelry box (H.1992.161) these are prayer beads. Known as a ”mala”, such beads are used by Hindus and Buddhists to help track of counting while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra. The large main bead, called the Guru bead, symbolizes the Guru from whom one has received the mantra. Many Tibetan Buddhists have a bell and dorje placed at different points on the mala depending on tradition, sometimes at the 25th bead from the Guru bead, like in this example.

Innovation in Interpretation: What does that mean to you???

What is the most innovative and interesting exhibit you have ever been too? Is there a way to turn a house museum into a place people want to visit over and over again, learning something new and experiencing something different each time?

What would that look like?

An entirely new type of history museum

What is it? An Ice Creeper or Crampon! Congrats to Diane Harvey and Sandie Tarbox for the correct answers!

The object is part of Museums of Old York’s Exhibit, “The Country Heer is Plentiful: Trade, Religion and Warfare in York and Southern Maine.”

Crampons were attached to the bottoms of shoes to assist walking in icy conditions. The shorter spikes indicate that they were made for wearing with a moccasin which did not have a built-up heel. A longer spike would have better suited a European-heeled shoe. The flattened crossbar reduced snow/ice build-up, protected the soft moccasin leather and prevented fatigue with prolonged use.

They are similar in style and purpose to the crampons used on modern snowshoes or yak tracks!

Crampon (L.2010.16)

Loan of Mr. Kenneth Hamilton

This is the view from the top:

This is the view from the bottom.

Hint: It is particularly useful on a snowy day like today!

Tavern Dinner

Who doesn’t like good food and costumed tavern ladies? Join us for the January 20th Tavern Dinner! 

Our groaning board will feature such delectable treats as: peasant bread, apple slices and herbed oil, followed by borscht with sour cream, fig and orange glazed ham with potatoes au gratin, green beans and carrots sautéed in butter and garlic and a dessert of apple pear ginger crisp.

Bring your own favorite beverage!

To register email education@oldyork.org

 painting by Beth Clark http://www.twomusesart.com/