Ida McKinley Dress Project continues...

I am still plugging away at conservation grant opportunities to help us fund the Ida McKinley Dress Project! 

I just took this photo of Accession # 83.70.10 for an upcoming issue of Piecework magazine that will feature an article on our collection of Ida dresses.

Here is the catalog description for this dress:

 

Gray silk crepe two-piece costume, elaborately but subtly trimmed with combinations of pale rose and off-white cording, small pearls, and bands of narrow gray velvet.  The standing collar of the bodice extends downward, coming to a point at the base of the neck in front.  The bodice opens at the front.  There is a divided tail or peplum, front and back.  Long sleeves are scalloped at the wrist, and slightly puffed at the shoulder, dating this dress to approximately 1898.  The embroidered waist tape reads "Marshall Field."  Mrs. McKinley had a nephew who worked for Marshall Field.  She is believed to have traveled to Chicago by train, where Marshall Field representatives would brings clothing to her hotel for her to make choices.

So far I have submitted three grant requests.  Fingers crossed that we hear something soon!

If you're interested in donating to this important textile conservation project, any and all donations are appreciated!  You can send a donation to the following address, or call us at 330-455-7043 to make a credit card donation:

Ida McKinley Dress Project

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum

800 McKinley Monument Dr NW

Canton OH  44708

Canton Symphony Gershwin Concert

Chris and I are big Gershwin fans, so when he was approached to do a short promotional video for the Canton Symphony Orchestra's upcoming Gershwin concert, he was happy to do it!

Click here to see the video I shot of him yesterday.  The Symphony has posted it on their Facebook page, as well as their YouTube channel.

The concert will be April 6 at 8:00 PM at Umstattd Hall.  For ticket information, please visit the Canton Symphony Orchestra's website.  The following is the Symphony's description of the concert:

Here to Stay is a multi-media concert event celebrating the greatest team of collaborators in the history of American music - the Gershwins.  Family photos, rare video clips, and elegant, state-of-the art visuals provide a distinctive and unique experience.

This special event featues pianist Kevin Cole, today's leading Gershwin interpreter, Grammy award-winning soprano Sylvia McNair, and dancing sensation Daniel Gardner.

I've mentioned it before, but we are super excited to be partnering with the CSO on another great project involving Ted Gup's book A Secret Gift.  Stay tuned for more developments as we plan our exhibit and the Symphony plans their concert!

In the meantime, we'll see you at the Gershwin concert!

Aspectations opens tomorrow!

We are almost done with the installation of "Aspectations" by Su Nimon which opens in the Keller Gallery tomorrow night with a FREE reception from 6:00 to 7:30!   Here are two brand new original paintings that have not been on exhibit before:

Healing Ocean Motion

Window to Peace

"Aspectations" also includes 16 limited edition prints of artistic Canton scenes such as the Ohio Theater, the Onesto Hotel, the Palace, and the McKinley Monument.

We're so excited to support a local artist who has been a friend of the Museum for many years.  Su's gallery Journey Art Gallery & Studios is currently at 2nd April in downtown Canton.  She will soon be moving into her own independent gallery space.

The following is her artist's statement from the show. We hope you'll come see the exhibit!  It will be on view through May 19.

‘Versatile’ is a word one sometimes uses to describe someone of varied interests, or someone who can’t quote focus on just one pursuit. It’s also unequivocally the word one uses to describe a true renaissance soul like Su Nimon -  an artist who is delightfully dexterous in art and in life.

Artist, musician, teacher and gallery owner... all hats she wears with joy and ease. Su’s artwork captures the collision between archetypical image and clear, fresh emotion. Whether working in digital mediums or painting, Su’s work evokes deep feeling, her images beautiful to see yet always sending a clear, simple message. Her work doesn’t require deep study or discussion... it is captivating, joyful and appreciated by collectors across the country and around the world.

Her work is represented by Journey Art Gallery and is always shown online.

More papers added to Chronicling America

As some of you know, I represent Region 5 for the National Digital Newspaper Program in Ohio, administered by the Ohio Historical Society and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.  We have a unique selection system in Ohio where people from across the state make decisions about what local papers are most relevant for inclusion in the project.

OHS has released the list of our latest round of papers selected for digitization.  You can read all about it here.

We are working to include as many communities across the state as possible!  I recommended some papers from smaller communities in Region 5 this time, which added several more counties to the coverage map.

If you haven't used Chronicling America, check it out!  It is an amazing resource for all kinds of historical research.  For the last grant cycle, one of my recommendations was to finish the rest of the Stark County Democrat.  It's a lot of fun to poke around and see what the "other" newspaper in town was covering!

Guests dancing at the Ball

Here is a video of our guests dancing the night away at the Inaugural Ball!

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Ballroom Dancing demonstration

Two of our Inaugural Ball guests stepped in to do a ballroom dancing demonstration after our original couple had to cancel because she broke her toe! They coordinated with the Bob Hill Orchestra to dance to "Beautiful Ohio," our state song:

President McKinley's speech

Chris Kenney, our director of education, portrayed President McKinley at the Fourth Inaugural Ball:

Fourth Inaugural Ball!

The Inaugural Ball on Saturday night was fantastic!

Here are some photos of the evening.  I'll post a few videos in separate posts too.

Thank you to everyone who made the evening such a success!