Rain, Rain, Rain

Tuesday: We met at the Flynt Center for our usual morning seminar/meeting. We divided up the Old Indian House exhibit research questions and objects. We then searched the catalog folders for additional information about our objects. I decided to take on some of the later pieces, including a souvenir teacup with the Old Indian House printed on it (ca. 1900), as well as a souvenir spoon with an image of the house and an engraving (ca. 1890s). Both pieces may have been made in Germany. I also agreed to examine a copy of George Sheldon’s History of Deerfield for any information involving the Old Indian House and its occupants. Another one of my duties in this exhibition will be to look at references to the Old Indian House in pieces of literature. That research will come at a later date. Lunchtime was an interesting experience with the former Curator and active Trustee of Historic Deerfield, Peter Spang. He tried to speak with each of us and he discussed in depth how the Flynt’s started Deerfield, their motives, and how he became involved. While taking us on a tour of the Allen House, the home of the Flynts, Peter revealed stories about the house, the family, and some of the secrets of Deerfield. He was not only a professional associate of the Flynts, but also a personal friend, so he had much to tell us. It was a fun tour. The afternoon was spent at the Williams House which is basically a 14 room home that belonged to a man with something like 10 children. It was immense. Our tour guide was incredible. She discussed the furniture in each room and told us funny tidbits of information about certain pieces, or stories about the family who owned the house. It’s really a lovely historic home.

Wednesday: A workshop on silver and base metals was first on the agenda! It was conducted by Amanda Lange, the Curator of Interiors, who had us handle each of the pieces in gloves, due to the corrosive nature of the oils on our hands. We discussed noble and base metals, the properties of iron, copper, silver, pewter, gold, bronze, brass, etc. We determined the differences between American and British silver and the uses of each type of metal. It was interesting to learn about how the different pieces were shaped and made using lathes, casting, molding, sheeting, among other methods. The afternoon was spent in the library doing more extensive research on our research paper topics. I continued to look at secondary sources for information on the Improved Order of Red Men.

Thursday: Unfortunately, the rain has started to have an effect on our plans! We were supposed to visit Old Greenfield Village, but the older gentleman in charge seems to have some trouble after heavier rains, so our trip has been rescheduled. I decided to head back to the house to do some research. I started looking through Secret Ritual and Manhood in Victorian America and Constructing Brotherhood: Class, Gender, and Fraternalism for my paper. I found some interesting concepts. During lunch, Marc Belanger, the Marketing Director here, ate with us and spoke about his role at Historic Deerfield. His job seems very multilayered and we hope to hear more from him at a later time. Afterward, we met Anne Lanning for a lecture on the history of the Barnard Tavern which has an interesting family history, even though it only existed for about 5 years as an actual tavern. Deerfield’s next project is to restore the tavern and to have an exhibit that correlates with its use and its family history. In tandem with the lecture, Billy Flynt then took us on a tour of the tavern in which he discussed his restoration efforts and the history of the construction of the house. By using dendrochronology and many other methods, Bill can discover the modifications and original standing of the house, as well as door placement and original painting. It seems a long and laborious process to get to the root of a home. The tavern also has a massive hearth in the back and a “ballroom,” more so used for public meetings, on the upper floor. Finally, we ended our day with David Bosse who gave us a powerpoint presentation on analyzing and using primary source documents. We mostly discussed account books and daybooks and how to determine who is the debtor and creditor and how to determine occupation from the listings. We also received a handout on currency conversions in early America/Massachusetts. It will be really helpful for future use.

Friday: A busy, but enlightening day! A shout out to Dr. Kehoe is in order. She is here for the Dublin Seminar and I ran into her several times today. I must say that I very much appreciate her support in my work at Saint Vincent, as well as outside the school. She is the one who introduced me to Historic Deerfield and its Summer Fellowship Program, so I must thank her for that and her letter of recommendation. Anyway, after our usual morning meeting, the Fellows headed to Hall Tavern for a workshop on Tour Guide Training. Amanda Rivera Lopez had us share our good and bad museum experiences, so that we could analyze what makes a good tour guide. She gave us this really beneficial handout on how to be a good guide and how to connect with the visitors, as well as specifics regarding Historic Deerfield guiding. The afternoon was full of a research paper brainstorming session (the thing in which we have all been dreading and anticipating). About 6 of the Historic Deerfield curatorial and research staff heard our research paper ideas and provided insight and sources to check into. It was actually really nice to hear from everyone. The highlight of our day, however, came from 3-6 at our open hearth-cooked dinner. We made salamagundy (spelling?), a sort of salad concoction made from romaine, fresh herbs, grapes, and chicken, as well as cornbread, fresh bread, lemonade, and a delicious strawberry shortcake for dessert! It was really fun and we are probably lucky that the weather has been so chilly, otherwise we may have been really hot inside the colonial-style kitchen! The evening ended at the Dublin Seminar with several lectures on the Civil War. I won’t go into much detail. The Seminar lasts all day Saturday and half of Sunday as well.

Readings:
The Idea of Rococo by William Park, excerpt
The Same Ax, Twice: Restoration and Renewal in a Throwaway Age by Howard Mansfield, excerpt
“Wholesome, Toothsome, and Diverse: Eighteenth-Century Foodways in Deerfield, Massachusetts” by Daphne L. Derven
“Mid-Eighteenth Century Food and Drink on the Massachusetts Frontier” by Michael D. and Sophie D. Coe
“A Comfortable Sufficiency: Food and the New England Kitchen” in Our Own Snug Fireside: Images of the New England Home, 1760-1860 by Jane C. Nylander

Until next time…