Tribute to McKinley

Click here for a neat video Gary Brown made with Chris about President McKinley! The Repository is starting to make more and more of these multi-media presentations for their website, which is pretty cool!

McKinley Day program

Here is the schedule of events for McKinley Day THIS SATURDAY JANUARY 31!

Oh, and by the way, the President's birthday is actually TODAY, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. PRESIDENT!!

(Click on the image to enlarge)

New ipod tours

Gary Brown did a great article in today's Repository about an exciting new project we're working on!

Jim Gerren of Nightwine Productions, whom you will recognize as the mastermind behind our hugely successful movie making summer camp, is working with Chris to develop some really cool ipod tours for the Street of Shops!

There will be photos from our archives, as well as VIDEO of some neat stuff that will enhance the exhibits up there.

They have been meeting weekly for awhile to work on this project, which they hope to unveil this spring. Stay tuned for more information!

Clewell Pottery

A small Clewell vase from our collection.

I mentioned earlier this week that I am working on a program for the Questers about Clewell pottery. I also wrote two Suite 101 articles about the pottery:

Clewell Pottery: Ceramics with Rare Patina on Bronze

Clewell Pottery Maker's Marks: Identifying Rare Bronze Patina

I am currently trying to track down any other museums that have a piece of Clewell pottery in their collections. Hopefully this blog will reach the right people and you will contact me to let me know what you have!

I have posted an inquiry on the Museum-L, and I already know about the large collection at the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan. They have about 100 pieces, which represents the largest collection of Clewell pottery in the world. They have an exhibition of his work currently on display through April 11.

If you work at a museum that has a piece of Clewell, or if you've recently visited one that had a piece on display, please let me know!

Busy busy busy

Wow, so much is going on!

The Masons were here today to install their new exhibit, which is looking great. I am working with them on some of the little things they need, such as dress forms, a padded hanger, a tripod, etc. They are about 2/3 done.

This morning I did my "Little Chicago" program for the Arboretum Garden Club at the Canton Woman's Club. I LOVE going there -- the food is great! I enjoy talking about the 1920s -- what a fun decade.

Plans for McKinley Day are all set. We are getting craft supplies, buying food, and bringing wreaths down from the Monument. I have all the information from the Army. We are going to have 8 wreaths this year, which I think is the most I've ever had! Lots of people want to pay their respects to the President this year. Gary Brown did a great article about McKinley Day yesterday. Thanks Gary!

In between everything, I have been researching our collection of Clewell pottery for a program I'm doing next week for the Questers.

So I haven't had a lot of time to blog lately!!

Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel

OK, this has nothing to do with the Museum, but I couldn't resist posting this video!!

Last night Chris and I went up to the IX Center to the boat show, and I was super excited to see Twiggy! We have been to the boat show a couple of times, but we always seemed to miss the show.

But this year we got to see her! I took a couple of pictures and a video. And after the show, I was the only grown-up in line to pet Twiggy. :-)

And here she is in a video clip!

Soup at Six: "The McKinley Years"

Chris did a great job last night at his Soup at Six program on "The McKinley Years"!

We had stuffed pepper soup, which every on seemed to enjoy, and of course bread baked on the open hearth by Chris!

oplAnd judging my the many questions at the end of the program, everyone enjoyed Chris's program too!

Here are some photos of the evening, followed by some video clips:


Chris wore McKinley's trademark scarlet carnation.


The crowd was very interested in what Chris had to say.


Here are some video clips of the program:


Chris compares the challenges President McKinley faced when taking office to President Obama's challenges today.



Chris talks about McKinley's Civil War service.



Chris talks about the famous Front Porch Campaign.


The next Soup at Six will be my program "Meyers Lake Revisited" on Thursday April 30. Make reservations by calling 330-455-7043.

Also coming up are two Teas with the Curator:

February 9: "Sweet Stuff: The Story of Chocolate"

March 30: "Woman's Suffrage: A Celebration of Persistence!"
(Celebrating Women's History Month in March)