Shorts
Written by PA Heritage Staff in the Shorts category and the Winter 1990 issue Topics in this article:“Recent Acquisitions of Costumes and Textiles, 1979-1989,” opening Saturday, February 10, 1990, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, showcases forty of the finest acquisitions made by gift and purchase by the museum during the last decade. On view will be items illustrating the depth and richness of the collections, including a magnificent eighteenth century French silk gown, the museum’s most recent purchase; a seventeenth century Indo-Portuguese embroidered coverlet; a Quaker dress and cloak in silk; a late nineteenth century embroidered hanging of the English Arts and Crafts movement; and a circa 1930 Fortuny dress of black velvet stenciled in gold. “Recent Acquisitions” continues through Saturday, March 25 [1990]. There is an admission charge. For more information, write: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Parkway at Twenty-Sixth St., Philadelphia, PA 19101; or telephone (215) 763-8100.
“Monroe County Medicine: 150 Years of Health,” an exhibition on view at the Monroe County Historical Society, focuses on the medical practitioners in the county between 1800 and 1950. The Poconos has earned an important place in medical history, particularly because of the presence of Slee Labs, and the early entrance of area women into medical practice. A collection of medical books, doctors’ kits and instruments, donated by several local physicians, will be on display. The exhibit continues through December 30 [1989]. Admission is free. More information may be obtained by writing: Monroe County Historical Society, 900 Main St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360; or by telephoning (717) 421-7703
The rooms of Hope Lodge, an elegant eighteenth century Georgian mansion, will be decorated for holiday tours to be given December 8-30 [1989]. The decorations reflect the lifestyle during two periods at the mansion: the early eighteenth century tastes of Samuel Morris, the original owner of Hope Lodge, and the Colonial Revival style of the last private owners of the estate, William and Alice Degn, in the 1930s. Special candlelight tours of the mansion will be given on the evenings of December 8 and 15 [1989], accompanied by musical presentations performed by local choral groups. There is an admission charge. Additional information may be obtained by writing: Hope Lodge, 553 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, PA 19034; or by telephoning (215) 646-1595.
“Steam Era Railroading History: The Steamtown Experience” is the title of a talk which will be given at the Catlin House, headquarters of the Lackawanna Historical Society, Scranton, by Susan Pridmore, interpretive specialist with the National Park Service at Steamtown, on Sunday, March 11, 1990, at 2 P.M. The program is free and open to the public. For additional information, write: Lackawanna Historical Society, 232 Monroe Ave., Scranton, PA 18510; or telephone (717) 344-3841.
The popular Spring Flower Show at Pittsburgh’s celebrated Phipps Conservatory will be on view from Monday, March 19, through Monday, April 26 [1990]. This year’s event will feature thirteen rooms, covering two and one-half acres under glass, showcasing thousands of spring flowers. Additional details are available by writing: Phipps Conservatory, Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; or by telephoning (412) 622-6915 or 622-6914. There is a charge for admission.
On view through Monday, April 30 [1990], at the new changing exhibits gallery of the Mercer Museum in Doylestown is “Images of Work,” an exhibition featuring prints and illustrations of pre-industrial era trades and technologies. “Images” presents perspectives of labor through the eyes of artists of the sixteenth through the nineteenth centuries. To obtain more information, write: Mercer Museum, Bucks County Historical Society, Pine St., Doylestown, PA 18901; or telephone (215) 345-0210. Admission is charged.
Ellen Rothman will present a paper entitled “History of Courtship and Marriage” on Wednesday, February 7, 1990, at the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. For information regarding this lecture and additional events, write: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, 4338 Bigelow Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15213; or telephone (412) 681-5533.
In observance of Beaver County Black History Month, the Merrick Art Gallery in New Brighton will host an exhibit of art and artifacts reiterating the significance of the Black community in the county. The exhibition, opening Sunday, February 18 [1990], will run through Sunday, March 4, 1990. There is no admission fee. For more information, write: Merrick Art Gallery, Fifth Ave. at Eleventh St., New Brighton, PA 15066; or telephone (412) 846-1130.
An open house celebrating a visit by William Penn to the Caleb Pusey House during the Christmas season, will be hosted by the Delaware County historic house museum on Saturday, December 30 [1989]. The house was built in 1683 by Caleb Pusey, who arrived in Pennsylvania the preceding year to serve Penn as manager of the Chester Mills, the first official Proprietary saw- and gristmill established in the colony. Additional information may be obtained by writing: Caleb Pusey House, 15 Race St., Upland, PA 19015; or by telephoning (215) 876-9206.
Victorian era and turn-of-the-century valentines and calling cards will be exhibited by Pennypacker Mills Historic Site during the month of February 1990. A Victorian Valentine Workshop, during which participants will learn how to make period-style valentines and greeting cards, will be held on Saturday, February 10 [1990]. Advance registration is required, and a fee will be charged. For registration information, write: Pennypacker Mills Historic Site, 5 Haldeman Rd., Schwenksville, PA 19473; or telephone (215) 287-9349.
On view through May 1990 at The State Museum of Pennsylvania is a major exhibit portraying the early history of Pennsylvania’s ironmaking and its role in making Pennsylvania a leading industrial state. Aptly entitled “Iron,” the exhibit includes numerous forge and furnace artifacts, models, graphics, photographs, three reconstructed historic settings and examples of wrought and cast iron. To obtain more information, write: The State Museum of Pennsylvania, P.O. Box 1026, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1026; or telephone (717) 783-9882 or 787-4980. Admission is free.
The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, is showing, through Friday, February 23, 1990, an exhibit entitled “Botanical Watercolors by Marilena Pistoia.” The exhibition comprises the artist’s works for three publications, which have been published in both Europe and the United States. For more information, write: Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890; or telephone (412) 268-2434.
“Holiday Sampler: Carols, Noels and Folk Songs in Tableau” will be open to the public at the Packwood House Museum, Lewisburg, through Sunday, January 14, 1990. The first floor of the historic house museum will be decorated for the holidays. There is an admission charge. To obtain more information, write: Packwood House Museum, 15 North Water St., Lewisburg, PA 17837; or telephone (717) 524-0323.
Through 1990, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg is showing “The Standard Bearers: Presidents of the Pennsylvania Railroad,” a new exhibit of portraits of the Pennsy’s fourteen leaders who served between 1846 and 1968. “The Standard Bearers” also includes furnishings and artifacts from the Pennsylvania Railroad’s former headquarters at Philadelphia’s magnificent Broad Street Station. For additional details, write: Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, P.O. Box 15, Strasburg, PA 17579; or telephone (717) 687-8628. Admission is charged.
“Two Hundred Years and Counting: Chester County and the U.S. Census, 1790-1990,” on view at the Chester County Historical Society through September 2, 1990, explores the role the county has played in the nation’s growth as recorded by the U.S. Census. Chester County is unique because it has appeared in its present geographical form in every Census since the first in 1790. The exhibit also emphasizes the significant people and events which have influenced American history. Additional information is available by writing: Chester County Historical Society, 117 West Gay St., West Chester, PA 19380; or by telephoning (215) 692-4800. There is an admission charge.
Participating in the launching of the Ben Franklin Legacy Year – 1990 marks the bicentennial of the statesman’s death – the Franklin Institute will host “Ben’s Big Birthday Bash” from Saturday through Monday, January 13-15, 1990, in the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, Philadelphia. Numerous special activities and events are scheduled throughout the weekend. For more details, write: Franklin Institute, Twentieth St. and the Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103; or telephone (215) 448-1200 or 448-1175. Admission is charged.
The Pittsburgh Children’s Museum is offering a special holiday program, “Magic of the Season,” through Tuesday, January 30, 1990. The event features live performances, unusual exhibits and “hands on” workshops. To obtain more information, write: The Pittsburgh Children’s Museum, One Landmarks Sq., Allegheny Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15212; or telephone (412) 322-5059. There is an admission fee.
“Recent Acquisitions: Works by Women in the Pennsylvania Academy’s Collection” will remain on exhibit through Monday, January 1, 1990, in conjunction with a major exhibit entitled “Making Their Mark: Women Artists Move into the Mainstream, 1970-1985,” continuing through Sunday, December 31 [1989], at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Additional information is available by writing: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Broad and Cherry Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19102; or by telephoning (215) 972-7600.
A workshop devoted to period music, talks by well known speakers and family historians, displays of military objects lent especially by private collectors and tours of its new Civil War Museum Room will be featured by the Washington County Historical Society at its Saturday, March 17, 1990, Civil War History Conference. There is a registration fee. For additional information, write: Washington County Historical Society, 49 East Malden St., Washington, PA 15301; or telephone (412) 225-6740.
Opening Friday, January 5, 1990, at the CIGNA Museum and Art Collection, Philadelphia, is a selection of sixty-four poignant photographs by various photographers entitled “Homeless in America: A Photographic Exhibition.” The traveling exhibit will run through Wednesday, February 28 [1990]. For more information, write: CIGNA Museum and Art Collection, 1600 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103; or telephone (215) 523-4894.
Paintings and sculpture by one hundred southwestern Pennsylvania artists will be on display in a regional invitational exhibition from Sunday, February 11, through Sunday, March 11, 1990, at the Westmoreland Museum of Art in Greensburg. Additional information may be obtained by writing: Westmoreland Museum of Art, 221 North Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601; or by telephoning (412) 837-1500.
The birthday of George Washington will be celebrated with special tours and activities – including the baking of Martha Washington’s “Great Cake” – from Sunday through Tuesday, February 18-20, 1990, at Valley Forge National Historical Park. Living history troops will also demonstrate eighteenth century camp life. Admission is free. For more details, write: Valley Forge National Historical Park, P.O. Box 953, Valley Forge, PA 19481-0953; or telephone (215) 783-7700 or 278-3558.
Featuring legends and stories of the Lenni-Lenape (Delaware) Indians, “Opening Up the Story Bag,” will be hosted by the Lenni-Lenape Historical Society, on Saturdays, January 13 and 17, 1990. Because space is limited, advance reservations are suggested. There is an admission charge. For reservation information, write: Lenni-Lenape Historical Society, Fish Hatchery Rd., R.D. 2, Allentown, PA 18103; or telephone (215) 797-2121 or 434-6819.
“Quilts from Appalachia,” an exhibit at the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies, Philadelphia, tells stories, records memories and even offers advice to museum-goers. Twenty quilts selected for display reflect the ethnic culture and tradition of a variety of Appalachian craftspeople. The exhibition continues through Wednesday, February 28, 1990. For more information, write: Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies, 18 South Seventh St., Philadelphia, PA 19106; or telephone (214) 925-8090. Admission is charged.
Seventy-five turn-of-the-century large format albumen prints revealing the vision of William H. Rau, official photographer for the Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley railroads, are currently on view at the Lehigh University Art Galleries. The images were originally published as a portfolio in 1899, which Rau had begun four years earlier for the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Rau’s artistic and timeless documentation provides a view of industrial America at the close of the nineteenth century. “William Rau, Photographer: The Lehigh Valley Railroad, 1899,” continues through Monday, January 1, 1990. For additional information, write: Lehigh University Art Galleries, Chandler-Ullman Hall-17, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015; or telephone (215) 758-3615. There is no charge for admission.
“Scalamandre: Preserving America’s Textile Heritage, 1929-1989,” on view at the Goldey Paley Design Center of the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, recounts the contributions of the firm which has helped research and recreate elegant fabrics, wallpapers, carpets and trimmings for numerous historic sites, such as the White House, Mount Vernon, Monticello, Andrew Jackson’s The Hermitage, as well as leading museums and institutions. Continuing through Saturday, December 23 [1989], the exhibit features the chair in which George Washington sat at his inauguration; historical documents and their companion reproductions; and intricate handmade braids, tassels, cords and fringes. For further details, write: Goldey Paley Design Center, Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, School House Ln. and Henry Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144- 5497; or telephone (215) 951- 2854.
Internationally renowned architect Robert Venturi of Philadelphia will show the sketches and models he has created for the new Philadelphia Orchestra Hall at The University of the Arts, from Friday, February 16, through Saturday, March 10 [1990]. The structure will be located at the corner of Broad and Spruce Streets in center-city Philadelphia. For more details, write: The University of the Arts, Broad and Pine Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19102; or telephone (215) 875-4800. Admission is free.
The fiftieth anniversary exhibition celebrating the Buhl Science Center’s evolution from the 1939 Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science will remain on view through Sunday, February 25, 1990. For additional information, write: Buhl Science Center, Allegheny Sq., Pittsburgh, PA 15212; or telephone (412) 237-3335. There is an admission fee.
