I am a recent graduate of the public history graduate program at Rutgers University. I currently serve as the digital media coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities, where I wrangle bloggers and tackle our social media platforms.
In the last two years I've created an oral history database using StoriesMatter for the Salem County Historical Society, collected data on school group attendance for the education department at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and I've digitized the Balch Institute Ethnic Images in Advertising Collection at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. I volunteer at the Alice Paul Institute in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey and the Digital Center at HSP.
In my spare time I am often silly and irreverent.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
This Thanksgiving edition of More Art Monday is a veritable feast of turkeys from the online collection. Brought to you by your gracious hosts, ART 24/7.
Carved Wild Turkey, Made in Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America c. 1900 John Reber, American, 1851 - 1937 Painted wood, metal, gesso 9 3/8 x 8 x 3 inches (23.8 x 20.3 x 7.6 cm) Currently not on view.
Fan, Made in United States, North and Central America Late 19th century Artist/maker unknown, American Turkey feathers; woven straw handle Length: 13 inches (33 cm) Currently not on view.
Turkey, Made in Idaho, United States, North and Central America Date unknown James Castle, American, 1899 - 1977 Thin gray cardboard; cut, torn, and folded; punched, stitched and tied with white string; red and brown washes, soot-and-spit stick-applied lines and wiped soot wash, black wax crayon Overall (irregular): 12 x 11 1/2 inches (30.5 x 29.2 cm) Currently not on view
Russia (Russian Couple with a Child and a Turkey), Made in Japan, Asia Edo Period (1615-1868), 1860 Utagawa Yoshitomi, Japanese, active c. 1848-80. Published by Kiya Söjirö (Kisö), Köbökudö. Color woodcut Öban yoko-e: 9 1/8 x 13 1/4 inches (23.2 x 33.7 cm) Currently not on view.
Dinner Service Platter, “Wild Turkey”, From the state dinner and dessert service of Rutherford B. Hayes (President 1877-1881) Made in Limoges, France, Europe c. 1882 Designed by Theodore Russell Davis, American, 1840 - 1894. Made by Haviland et Cie, Limoges, France, 1842 - present. Porcelain with chromolithograph, enamel, and gilt decoration Length: 19 7/8 inches (50.5 cm) Currently not on view.
A lovely old tin of Catholic holy cards
Deviating from my norm (?) with this. I met Sherry Howard in Philadelphia last weekend and when she mentioned her blog I had to check it out. I enjoy her conversational tone and she chooses compelling feature objects.
(Image: http://myauctionfinds.com/2012/10/25/a-lovely-old-tin-of-catholic-holy-cards/)
Happy Constitution Day! In honor of the 225th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution (which happened right down the street from us at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall), More Art Monday is looking at some era-appropriate objects from our collection. Enjoy, and be sure to do your part to “form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”! Brought to you by ART 24/7.
Woman’s Calash, 1780-90. Artist/maker unknown.
Chest, 1787. Artist/maker unknown.
A N. W. View of the State House in Philadelphia, taken 1778, Published in the July 1787 issue of Columbian Magazine, a Monthly Miscellany, 1787. James Trenchard after a drawing by Charles Willson Peale.
Pocketbook, 1785. Artist/maker unknown.
Pocketbook, Mid- to late 18th century. Artist/maker unknown.
Spectacles, 18th century. Artist/maker unknown.
Spectacles, 18th century. Artist/maker unknown.
Teapot and Lid, 1785-90. John David, Sr.
The Reverend Joseph Pilmore, 1787. Charles Willson Peale.
Jar, 1787. Probably Christian Klinker.
Now through January 13, 2013 at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
Tickets appear to be pretty easy to get, but I went on a rainy Thursday. Adults: 22.50, 65+: 18.50, 6-12: 16.50, Student: 16.50, Military: 18.50. This includes the price of admission to the whole museum.
The rest of the UPenn Museum is at best uneven, but there area number of interesting pieces. There is an intriguing crystal sphere in the Asia gallery, and a pair of cloisonné lions from Beijing. I’m usually more excited by the Asian areas in museums, but this left me unimpressed. The museum has a number of more extensive exhibits: Imagine Africa was well visited. I have to admit, we were in a bit of a time crunch and walked straight to the Lords of Time exhibit. We did take ten minutes to watch part of the What in the World installation. It didn’t quite work for us. You have no idea when you push a button by a mystery object how long its corresponding video will be. I love trying to guess what things are, but this was more an hyper-extended, super-dry biography of an object. Meh. (Yes, that is my professional opinion. Meh.) There is an online version for those who want to play at home.
Remembering Dick Clark's Philly Years
Jordan McClain and Amanda McClain on American Bandstand and Dick Clark in Philadelphia @ The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia.
Knight News Challenge: Backgrounder - Blasts from the Past for Busy Reporters
1. What do you propose to do? [20 words]
Provide journalists in Philadelphia, the nation’s fourth-largest media market, with historical backgrounders for local news, delivered via Twitter.
2. Is anyone doing something like this now and how is your project different? [30 words]
No - This project…
PubComm12 Registration for Graduate Students in Public History & Museum Studies
Join students, professionals, and faculty from public history, museum studies, and historic preservation programs throughout the region for an afternoon of fellowship.
This year’s event is at the beautiful Woodlands Historic Mansion, Cemetery & Landscape in Philadelphia, PA.
PubComm12 comes complete with guided tours of the Woodlands Historic Mansion and Cemetery, a professional panel, snacks, and plenty of networking opportunities.
If you live in or around Philadelphia, and are interested in attending, click the link and register. It is FREE.
Last year was great, and this year’s event promises to be just as fun and as informative.
Wells Fargo Bank Museum in Philadelphia
Once a little boy sent me a charming card with a little drawing on it. I loved it. I answer all my children’s letters — sometimes very hastily — but this one I lingered over. I sent him a card and I drew a picture of a Wild Thing on it. I wrote, ‘Dear Jim: I loved your card.’ Then I got a letter back from his mother and she said, ‘Jim loved your card so much he ate it.’ That to me was one of the highest compliments I’ve ever received. He didn’t care that it was an original Maurice Sendak drawing or anything. He saw it, he loved it, he ate it.
Maurice Sendak (via thatluciegirl)
Amazing story.
(via shandel)
I haven’t found a solid source for this quote yet, but it’s a lovely story. —Sarah
(via npr)
I read this at the Rosenbach Museum’s Sendak exhibit in Philadelphia. Considering the close relationship the Rosenbach has with Maurice Sendak, I reckon this is true.
(Source: jamesnord)
The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia has a new entry on Department Stores. This is why I love the encyclopedia: 1. The essays are clear and concise. 2. Awesome photos. 3. There is a place to put in your own stories and interact with others.
It also just happens to be the pet project of The Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities… where I work. But don’t let that discourage you from clicking and poking around.
