DARTMOUTH HERITAGE MUSEUM SOCIETY December 2016 Inside this issue: s Desk 1 Staff News 2 GAZETTE The s Desk Bonnie Elliott Costume Committee Update Councillors Visit 4 Christmas Poster 5 Donors 6 Events & Exhibits Gift Shop Back Page Membership & BOD 3 7 8 As the dark short days of December descend upon us, what a better way to uplift the spirits than to add more colour and light! For this Christmas Season, a 10 foot fir tree was hoisted up onto the portico and strewn with lights for the neighbourhood to see. Inside, two trees have been set up one decorated with vintage ornaments to brighten up the red parlour. Once again, our volunteers have made this happen along with all the hours they have given each year to keep the museum operating. In November, volunteers past and present were invited to the museum so that we could say Thank you! It was also due to volunteer effort that two new rack cards were designed and printed AND our website was re-designed. For a few years we have been without rack cardsthose promotional two-sided cards that are given out at visitor information sites. With Dale Wilson s leadership we have some new promotional material of both sites that are truly appealing. Our new website has been launched thanks to web designer Joan Roué. If the last name rings any bells as it may, apart from being a gifted designer and author, Joan is the great grand- daughter of famed naval architect W.J.Roué. Roué was a Dartmouth boy and lived at 23 James Street for most of his adult life. In the last Heritage House Tour in 2013, 23 James Street was one of the houses on tour. Other bits of news are that Shannon Baxter is the Collections Assistant Intern working on a few projects (page 2) the Costume Collection Committee has been actively re-organizing and making some interesting discoveries (page3) and the Harbour Explosion committee is working toward an exhibit to open in June 2017. We are looking forward to the annul Cheer and Song when once again due to the generosity of Wayne Slaunwhite and Gail Fulop, we will be joining in song and indulging in festive treats. We are clearing out the red parlour and setting up tables and chairs to accommodate more people (and less stairs!). Best wishes for a very happy holiday season
Gazette Page 2 Staff News Collection Assistant Intern Greetings! My name is Shannon Baxter and I was hired as the Collections Assistant intern under the Young Canada Works Program. I am very excited to be here working at the Dartmouth Heritage Museum! After earning an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree of History at Trent University, I studied for a year at Fleming College, completing the Museum Shannon is holding the 1920 Starr Manufacting Skate catalogue which depicts each style of skate the company was producing at that time. The DHM currently has ove 150 pairs of skates in the collection. Management and Curatorship postgraduate program this past August. working through this particular collection, I can already see how much pride and fond memories the citizens of Dartmouth have towards the Company. Not only that, but I am beginning to see how Starr in many ways gave back to the community. So far one of my favourite skates I have worked with in the collection were ones that Starr custom made for a soldier who was disabled during the First World War. I am hopeful to learn more about this particular pair and their original owner. The Starr Manufacturing Company was also known to sponsor local athletes, like Alexander Sandy Patterson, who competed in ice skating races both nationally and internationally. A pair of skates from the Patterson family is in the collection. My work at the museum will involve research, inventorying artifacts, cleaning them and then enriching the museum files. With over 100 skates to work with at this time, I have a lot to do! I am looking forward to seeing what interesting stories I may discover during my Internship. For my internship, I am working on the Museum s Ice Skate collection. Particular focus is on skates produced by The Starr Manufacturing Company, which for several decades made worldrenowned ice skates. As I begin Page 19 of the 1920 Starr skate catologue
Gazette Page 3 Costume Committee Anita Campbell, Chair Anita Campbell (right) and Wilma Stewart-White (left) are busy organizing the collection. The Costume and Textile collection in the Burnside warehouse is almost all unpacked, which means artifacts that have been in boxes for 15 years are now neatly stored and easy to view. Last year the Costume Committee tackled the rolled storage. Now quilts, blankets, shawls, flags and other flat artifacts are rolled and placed on wall racks rather than folded away in boxes. This is much better for the artifact as well as being easier to access. This year we focused on the hanging storage- any garment that can be suspended from a hangar, and a large part of the collection. To date, most of the garments have been removed from their cartons and hung on the racks, and we can finally appreciate the extraordinary collection the DHM has acquired over the years. Some garments are workaday and some very grand. There are little boys sailor suits and girls lacey dresses, men s uniforms from both world wars, and an incredible collection of women s dresses dating from the early 19 th century to the 1980s. What a story they tell about the lives of the people of Dartmouth and Nova Scotia! Since September the Costume Committee has been busy each Thursday organizing the hanging storage by type and date, and updating locations in the accessions catalogue. Not everything can be hung or rolled. Some objects are too delicate or heavy to hang. For example, the beaded flapper gowns are so heavy they must be kept flat. They remain in boxes but are now easy to To the right are three costumes on display for the Councillors visit. In front is a scarlet gown with mink lapels worn by the Mayor of Dartmouth as the official robe of office. It was made by the oldest tailor firm in London, England, Ede & Ravenscroft established in 1689.The company holds royal warrants as "Purveyors to the British Royal Family". The late 18th century man s coat is part of a court outfit that is beautifully embroidered. It was worn in the 1920 s by Norman Lamplugh to fancy dress parties at St. James Court. The elaborate burgundy cut velvet house dress is from the late 19th century and was part of the Dr. Mary Bell donation to the Costume Society of Nova Scotia (Continued on page 4)
Gazette Page 4 Councillors Matt Whitman (left) and Tony Mancini (right) are pictured here with past Councillor and City Mayor, Gloria McCluskey who visited the warehouse in December. Collectively they donated $3, 653.00 to the DHM for the purpose of installing clothes racks in the warehouse. Since 2002 the garments have hung in moving boxes. Now they are unpacked, reorganized and accessible. access and study. Bonnie has been making padded hangars, and now has the museum volunteers sewing them as well. She has developed several patterns that turn regular varieties into museum-quality padded hangars that are much friendlier to the garments, and more secure. Although we have made lots of progress there is lots more to do. The plastic drycleaner bags need to be replaced with cotton dustcovers. Professional photographs of each garment, and its details, must be taken. And there are numerous research threads to be followed in order to flesh out the documentation. If you would like to join the committee and help us with this exciting project please contact Bonnie at the Museum. Racking is expensive and we thank past Dartmouth mayor and Councillor Gloria McClusky, Councillors Matt Whitman and Tony Mancini for providing funding for this storage system. Last spring they collectively found $3, 653.00 to help the DHM purchase hanging storage. The racks were installed in July and the work of unpacking began shortly after that. On December 8th the councillors returned to view our progress and learn some more about the important history we have across the HRM. From the Collection Committee, a big holiday THANK YOU!!
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Gazette Page 6 DHM Society Donors: Each year Society Members give over and above the membership fees to help us run our programs at the Museum. Audrey Manzer Ann Creighton Day Len Atkinson Margaret Hayward Barb & John O Connor Theo Mitchell Linda Forbes Josephine Harris Joyce Earle Clyde Teasdale Jean Wagener Rodney Simpson & Christina Dadford Dorothy Meyerhof Suzanne & Michael Day Alice Hale Holly Gunn Anne Hillis Barbara MacKenzie Peter Payzant James Morrison Lorna Huestis Betty Pitt Karen Munroe Suzanne & Michael Lewis Roland Thornhill Catherine Harrison Inez Joyce Earle Sally King The Osborne Family Margot Walker Ellen Venner -Hiltz Brian Vandervaart Kathryn Stanfield Carmen and Jerry Moir Brenda Shannon Susan Moxon Karen Colter Bernard Hart Hannah Minzloff & John Hillis
Page 7 EVENTS & EXHIBITS Lower Level The Carriage Room Photography Studio: Come and visit our recreation of a 19 th century Photographic Studio to learn how the art of photography has developed through the years. Peer into the past through the lenses of select antique cameras, and witness the process of creating wet-plate photographs. Main Level Toys & Games from the Past: We are bringing the fun back to Evergreen! Our new exhibit in the old dining room features a charming selection of pieces from our extensive collection, guaranteed to make you smile. Upper Level Edgemere & Rosenberg: Featuring paintings and photographs by the man himself, our new exhibit tells the story of American-born artist Henry M. Rosenberg. Learn about his marriage to Emily Scarfe, daughter of the influential Frederick Scarfe, mayor of Dartmouth, and the building of the Edgemere home. $5.00 Admission. Members and children under 12 are free. Tuesday - Friday 10am 5pm & Saturday 10am -1pm & 2pm 5pm Evergreen House, 26 Newcastle Street, Dartmouth Phone 902-464-2300 www.dartmoutheritagemuseum.ns.ca Evergreen Writing Group will resume meeting on Wednesday, January 4th, 10:15 a.m. to Noon! Evergreen Writers' Group welcomes newcomers to our meetings at Evergreen House, 26 Newcastle Street in Dartmouth. We get together the first Wednesday of each month for discussion, encouragement, providing feedback to each other on works in progress, guest speakers and workshops. For more information, call 463-5612 or email evergreen_writers@yahoo.ca Gift Shop News Our Gift Shop is open every day from Tuesday until Saturday and has some great gift ideas! We have many books and locally produced handcrafted items. Check out the new aprons and t-shirts, new key rings, trays and wind chimes. Tax free, plenty of parking and we now accept debit.
Gazette Page 8 Dartmouth Heritage Museum Society 26 Newcastle Street Dartmouth, NS B2Y 3M5 Phone: (902) 464-2300 Fax: (902) - 464-8210 E-mail: museum@bellaliant.com http://www.dartmouthheritagemuseum.ns.ca/ Like us on Facebook: Dartmouth Heritage Museum Follow us on Twitter: dhmuseum1 Protecting, Preserving & Promoting our Heritage BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016-2017 Chair Debra Barlow Vice Chair Philip Rogers Mickie Zinck Secretary Mark Chin-Yee Treasurer Anita Campbell Kate Watson An exhibit on the Harbour Explosion of 1917 is being planned for next year. If you have stories, artifacts, archival material or photographs you wish to loan, please email elliottb@bellaliant.com David Newlands David Jones Beth Vallis Karen Colter Susan Merchant Bonnie Elliott Ex Officio DHMS Membership Form Individual Membership - $20 A $10 tax receipt will be issued, you will receive our newsletter by mail, and membership will entitle you to free admission to museums (Evergreen and Quaker House) upon presentation of your card. Family Membership - $30 A $15 tax receipt will be issued, you will receive our newsletter by mail, and membership will entitle you to free admission to museums (Evergreen and Quaker House) upon presentation of your card. Please also consider the following levels of giving $50 Donor - Your name will appear in the newsletter, and a full tax receipt will be issued. $100 Friend - You will help sponsor one of our exhibits, your name will appear in the exhibit, the newsletter and a full tax receipt will be issued. $500 Benefactor - Your name will appear in our annual calendar, your name will appear in our newsletter, and a full tax receipt will be issued. Name: Address: Phone: E-mail: Membership and Donation Level (please check): Membership $20(individual) $30(family) Donation $50(donor) $100(friend) $500(benefactor) Please make cheques payable to the Dartmouth Heritage Museum Society and send to: Dartmouth Heritage Museum Society, 26 Newcastle Street, Dartmouth N.S., B2Y 3M5