From Our Collections
Take a peek at a few of the fabulous items in the society’s extensive collections!
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Flower spray made of human hair and mounted in a shadow box frame, 1850-1870.This fascinating object is now on display in MSHS’s new exhibit, Cabinets of Curiosities. While decorations and jewelry made from human hair in the 19th century were often associated with mourning, this flower spray is an example of the craft commemorating family or friendships. Each flower is numbered in pencil, and a corresponding list of names appears in handwriting within the frame. There are 12 numbered flowers and the names in order are Wm H. Hull, Rachel Grover, Mary L. Burnham, Rev. T.S. Burnham, Allen C. Grover, Alice C. Lobdell, Luther C. Hull, Emily E. Phillips, D.M. Sherman, Allen Grover, D.M. Grover, and Delena Lobdell. This commemoration of a Middletown Springs family and friends was donated to MSHS in 1987 by Dr. Irene Lobdell.
Eight Point Star quilt, 1870-1875Made by Juliet Barrett Gray (1835-1914), Middletown Springs, cotton, hand pieced, tied, 59.5” x 70”, gift of Lucy Grover Blakely and Hazel Grover. The Eight Point Star pattern has several variations, including LeMoyne Star and Morning Star. It crossed cultures in the late 19th century, becoming a popular pattern for both Anglo-American and American Indian quilters. In this variation, Juliet Barrett Gray built the diminutive star blocks by surrounding a one inch square with eight triangles. Her granddaughter, Hazel Grover, recorded that she and her sister Lucy used this quilt as a coverlet when they took naps as children.
Kelley Family Sugaring.Our collection includes many glass plate negatives of photos taken in Middletown Springs around the 1890s. This digitized photo from the glass plate negative collection of photographer Kirby Kelley shows a Middletown Springs farm family in the process of maple sugaring. In the foreground is a man boiling the sap in a makeshift tray. Note the wooden sap barrel on the sled and the team of horses that pulled it from the sugarbush.
Mystery BoxOnce in a while we discover items in our collection that we cannot identify completely. For example, this wooden box with graduated shelves, a museum purchase from a Middletown Springs auction, is a mystery. What might have been stored in these graduated compartments? Please contact us if you know the answer!
High Wheel BicycleThis restored “high wheel” bike is a 56.5 inch Columbia by the Pope Manufacturing Co., Boston, patented in 1878. It belonged to the family of Dr. Emelie Perkins, well-known pediatrician in Rutland c. 1950-1970.
Printed Wool Paisley ShawlPaisley shawls were a fashionable item of women's clothing in the 1800s. Pictured here is a printed wool paisley shawl dating to the 1850s. It belonged to the Gray Family and was donated by the Grover/Blakely Families. Now known as the Paisley pattern, the teardrop motif originated in Persia and India. The popularity of shawls declined in the 1870s, due largely to a change in women's fashion. The large circular crinoline skirts upon which shawls draped gave way to slimmer skirts with bustles. A shawl would cover a decorative bustle, which was meant to be seen.
Elegant Men's WearBlack Felt Homburg Hat, Miller Allaire Co., New York, 1890-1920, worn by Sidney Spaulding, gift of Esther Capen. Sculpted Blue and Black Velvet Man’s Vest, 1870-1910, gift of Wilson S. Clark Family.
Barrett Sideboard c. 1830Sideboard purchased for Eliza Barker by her father when she was married to Stephen Barrett in 1831. The Barretts resided in the MSHS building. The sideboard was handed down to her daughter Juliet Barrett Gray, then to her granddaughter Katie Gray Grover. Gift of Grover-Blakely Family
Antique Bed Hanging
Carpenter's "Grip" SyrupOriginal box and corked bottle of Carpenter's Grip cough syrup, made and sold by Dana S. Carpenter of Middletown Springs, Vt.
Signature Tableware of Montvert HotelThe fine white tableware of the Montvert Hotel featured an airy pattern in shades of deep blue.
Marble-Topped Table from Montvert HotelMarble-topped Table from Montvert Hotel, c. 1870
Gift of Sally Jones
Gift of Sally Jones