Winter Newsletter 2019

II NN TT H I SH I S II S S U ES S U E

Museum of Early Trades & Crafts 9 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940 973-377-2982 fax: 973-377-7358 www.metc.org

FFROMROM THETHE DDIRECTORIRECTOR 22

TTHEHE CCHAIRMANHAIRMAN’’SS LLETTERETTER 22

CCALENDARALENDAR OFOF EEVENTSVENTS 33

METC’METC’SS 5050THTH AANNIVERSARYNNIVERSARY

44

PPROGRAMROGRAM HHIGHLIGHTSIGHLIGHTS 44

EEDUCATIONDUCATION NEWSNEWS 55

AARTIFACTRTIFACT HHIGHLIGHTIGHLIGHT 55

GGIFTIFT SHOPSHOP & & RRENOVATIONENOVATION UUPDATESPDATES

66

OOURUR SSUPPORTERSUPPORTERS 77

VVISITORISITOR EENGAGEMENTNGAGEMENT 88

New Permanent Exhibit Opening at METC Spring 2019

This spring, METC is excited to announce its first new permanent exhibit installa-tion since 1996! The new exhibit will tell the story of early life in New Jersey and explore the tools and strategies that helped people of the time meet the chal-lenges of working the land, focusing on specific "moments of change" that would eventually alter their lives. Today’s museums find that in addition to the traditional responsibilities of preser-vation, education and exhibition, they are playing a larger role in opening doors to new ideas and concepts and embracing new meth-ods of learning and interpretation. It was with this in mind that we set out to create a new exhibit that would tell a more complete story of the people who lived and worked in New Jersey during the mid 19th century. This pe-riod was a time of great social and economic change, upheaval, war, and major expansion for our country. Our museum's focus has always been on the people of New Jer-sey-- their work in their homes, on their farms and in their communities-- and our intent was to create an exhibit to help visitors better understand the people of the time and the challenges they faced during an era of transition, unrest and progress. One of the earliest goals for the exhibition team was making certain we were developing a true narrative that would work with our own collection while ensur-

ing that the issues and topics that had currency in the time period also had currency today, and could be relatable to a 21st century audience. As often happens during the process of creating a new ex-hibit, we distilled down much of our early research and eventually honed in on the concept that there were pivotal moments during this era that ushered in a period of industrialization and socio-economic change. The challenge was to create a story and an exhibit that would also have broad appeal to a diverse audience. This is why exhibit development

is by far the most exciting part of the job for most museum professionals! Incorporating technology, modern exhibit design and a more open and inclusive interpretation were also key factors, and this new exhibit also needed to seam-lessly integrate into the unique architecture of our historic building. Working with award winning exhibit designers, graphic artists, master millworkers and techni-cians, the new exhibit will present a story of daily life, struggle, ingenuity, families, work, and the human connection to the earth. We are very excited to share this new exhibit with all our members, donors, friends and partners. We will keep you updated on our progress in the hopes of passing on our excitement and an-ticipation of unveiling the completed exhibit with you.

Inspiration from 19th century woodcuts

guide staff on exhibition themes

19th century cranberry scoop from

METC’s collection will become part

of the new exhibit

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F r o m t h e D i r e c t o r :

On February 18, 1969, the Articles of Incorporation formally establishing the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts were signed. In this document, the founders set out to…" encourage a better understanding and appreciation, especially among young people, of early American industries in the home, on the farm, in the shop and on the sea, with particular emphasis on early New Jersey industries."

And here we are, 50 years later, continuing the mission set out by our founders. While much has changed at METC over this half century we are proud that the many people who have led this institution well into the 21st century, have always kept true to the importance of education, interpretation and preservation. At the same time, these stewards of our collective history have embraced the future and

worked to ensure that this small New Jersey history museum continues to hold to the highest standards of ethical practice and museum pedagogy.

Unquestionably, the role of museums has shifted over time and never more so than in the last ten to fifteen years...but we are thrilled to celebrate our 50th year as a leader in the cultural community of New Jersey. And of course, we are planning a number of events to mark this milestone. The most anticipated will be the official opening in the spring of our new permanent exhibit on early New Jersey life. This exhibit will replace the stacks area exhibit, originally installed in 1996, and will be the first permanent exhibit created here since then.

You can read more about this exhibit elsewhere in this newsletter, but in the meantime, look for invitations and announcements inviting you to join us to celebrate 50 years of history at METC!

- Deborah Farrar Starker

T h e C h a i r m a n’ s L e t t e r

Deborah Farrar Starker, METC

Executive Director

Our Building - Our Home, Our Inspiration

METC is housed in the magnificent James Library building, a wonderful example of the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival style. It's home to our Museum, but it's more than just a building - we consider it to be the largest artifact in our collection.

We're finishing up a four-stage exterior renovation which hopefully will carry us through another 100 years. So now we shift our attention to the interior. There's work to be done, for sure, but there's also much to be imagined about the fine craftsmen who built

it, mostly by hand.

I love the original spiral stairway leading from the entryway down to the basement and up to the clock tower. Using the handrail, I feel the slight irregularities that tell me it was formed by hand. And the creaking of the treads is like voices from the past. Likewise the hand-carved detail of the woodwork everywhere speaks of a time when talented craftsmen poured their hearts into their work.

Now we live in the breakneck pace of the 21st century, but our building binds us to the time and people we honor with our Museum. So come visit our displays and programs, but take time to really see our building. And think of the people who built it. They were the spiritual descendants of the people of pre-industrial New Jersey memorialized in our mission statement.

- Thomas H. Judd

Thomas H. Judd, METC Board Chair

FERUARY

JANUARY

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Tuesdays January through March After school @ METC: Time Travel in New Jersey Travel in time through New Jersey history from the earliest European settlers to the dramatic changes of the 19th century. Experience life through the eyes of many different New Jerseyans, including Native Americans, settlers, and Loyalists, and try your hand at a variety of crafts and activities along the way. Tuesdays January 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 26, Mar. 5, 19 2019 (Make up day, if needed, Mar. 26) . Time: 4:15-5:15 pm Grades: 1-5 Session Rate: $96 per child (10% off for METC Members & for additional siblings). Prorated enrollment available. Registration required

Thursday, February 7, 2019 Modern Embroidery Workshop In this two-and-a-half hour workshop, instructor Meg Mullin will teach you everything you need to know to make an embroidery piece to display or gift proudly! We’ll provide you with a kit containing all the materials you need to make your first project, and we’ll share tools and resources you can use should you want to continue making art with needle and thread. Come prepared to have fun and use your hands. All levels welcome. Light refreshments provided. Time: 7-9:30 PM Cost: $25 per person, $20 for members. Registration Required Monday, February 18 Kid’s Mini Camp This special one day camp will explore the many things that inspired children in the 1800s and we will look at the ways they added their individual creativity to clothing, blankets and other textiles. Participants will draw inspiration from the quilts, embroidery and lace in our exhibits, to express their own creativity for an afternoon! Time: 1- 3 pm Grades: K-5 Cost: $10 per child, $8 for members, Registration Required

MARCH

V I S IT U S ONLINE AT METC. ORG OR C ALL 973-377- 2982 FOR M ORE I NFORMATION

C A L E N D A R O F

E V E N T S

Saturday, March 16 St . Patr ick’ s Day @ METC! Join us in celebrating this popular holiday with St. Patrick's Day stories and a variety of crafts, from handprint shamrocks to rainbow streamers. A variety of St. Patrick's Day stories (old and new) will be told at 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 & 2:30 Time: 11 am-3 pm Cost: Included with paid admission Saturday, March 23 NJ Makers Day : State-Wide Event Fun for the whole family! We will be joined by fiber artist Anne Choi of Middle Brook Fiberworks who will be available to answer questions and demonstrate a variety of weaving techniques. Staff will also guide you in creating your own woven strand. For all ages. Time: 11 am-3 pm Cost: Included with paid admission Saturday, March 30 Text i l es and Technology Explore the concept of computers and how they relate to textiles. Handweaver and editor of Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot magazine, Sally Orgren will bring several multi-shaft looms and share how textiles and technology have gone hand-in-hand for centuries. See how number sequences become intri-cate patterns in cloth. Sit down at a loom, throw a shuttle, and make cloth! Children and adults (who might have worked with punch cards) are equally welcome! Time: Hands-on demonstration from 1-4 pm, lecture at 2 pm Cost: Included with admission

Fr iday, Apri l 5 Stuf fed Animal S leepover Children are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal or doll for a sleepover at the Museum! Registration is required for this beloved annual event! Pick up your friend between 10am—4pm on Saturday, April 6 and receive a framed picture of their favorite friend showing the "trouble" they got into at the Museum! All ages. Time: 4 - 5 pm Cost: $5 per child. Registration Required

APRIL

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J o i n u s i n W e l c o m i n g

M E T C ’ s N e w A s s i s t a n t D i r e c t o r

Angelica Diggs, Assistant

Director of Operations,

joined the staff at METC

this January. She is a

graduate of Monclair State

Univers i ty ’ s Museum

Management program, and

most recently worked as

Assistant Director for the

Montclair History Center

(MHC) in Montclair, NJ.

During her time with the

MHC, Angelica successfully

ran the operations of four

historic sites and a research

library and most recently

worked with staff in

rebranding initiatives and

s t r a t e g i c p r o g r a m

development for targeted

audiences. “I am looking

forward to getting to know

the Madison community

and the initiatives of METC

as the museum embarks on

its 50th anniversary year.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of METC's founding, spearheaded by the vision of Agnes and Edgar Law Land. Since then, METC's collection of artifacts has been displayed and interpreted in a variety of ways.

For example, it may be hard to believe, but the two photographs on the right were taken from the same vantage point in the museum's Trustee's Room. The photograph on the top right was captured not long after the museum's opening. Objects were strategically arranged to provide visitors with a representation of a period hearth and kitchen display, transporting visitors back in time and place.

The photograph on the bottom right was taken quite recently, in early 2019. The space currently features the intricate woodwork of one of the building's original fireplaces, houses our library collection, and displays the work of contemporary textile and fiber artists! We are always thinking of ways to showcase our beautiful building, shed light on our collection, and help visitors step back in time to contextualize history. As we head into the museum's 50th anniversary year, we honor the museum's history, and look forward to growing and learning in our mission to engage visitors in meaningful and relevant ways.

Then and Now : METC’s 50th Anniversary

This season METC will host a number programs for visi-

tors to explore their creative side while tying into our ex-

hibit Narrative Threads: New Jersey Quilts and Textiles .

Register for a Modern Embroidery Workshop led by artist

and instructor Meg Mullin or a Kids Mini Camp exploring

how children in the 1800s added decorative flare to quilts

and other textiles. Stop in and join the state-wide Maker’s

Day where fiber artist Anne Choi of Middle Brook Fiber-

works will demonstrate a variety of weaving techniques

or learn from handweaver Sally Orgren how Textiles and

Technology have gone hand-in-hand for centuries. Full

details on programs and how to register on page 3.

Narrative Threads showcases historic textiles from the museum’s collection and features

pieces made by contemporary New Jersey textile artists who draw inspiration from the past.

The exhibit will be on display through June 9.

A vintage 1950’s Nadeau Hand-Skill loom

will be available for visitors to experience

at Textiles and Technology

G e t H a n d s - o n w i t h Te x t i l e s t h i s S e a s o n

Page 5 W i n t e r N e w s l e t t e r 2 0 1 9

E n g a g i n g N e w J e r s e y ’ s C h i l d r e n

METC's Education Department always offers a variety of exciting programs

aimed at engaging children with the history and art the museum presents. This

includes a range of different after school

programs, offered throughout the year,

both at METC and through the After

School Enrichment programs in Chatham.

Most recently, METC educators offered

Creativity Re-Imagined at Milton Avenue

Elementary in Chatham and at METC. In

this program, students were presented with a different design or creative

challenge each week. For the METC students, this culminated with a multi-week

project in which they planned, designed and proto-typed their own tool.

For the current winter session, students attending METC's after school program

are time-traveling through New Jersey history, from the 17th through the 19th

centuries. METC will also be offering an art-based session starting April 23rd, in

which children will have the opportunity to express themselves through a variety

of artistic techniques, inspired by METC's iconic

building, including reliefs, print-making and sun

prints.

The Education Department is also offering

weekly home school classes throughout this

school year, with one class for kindergarten and

1st graders and another for 2nd graders and

older. This program has drawn on children from

a wide area, including Atlantic Highlands, Wyckoff, Newark and Monroe, NY. In

the next session, starting March 6, participants will explore Stained Glass and

Architecture, and the Spring Session, starting April 23, will allow participants to

become a different craftsperson each week, including tinsmith, potter and

basket maker. For more information on our education programs visit

www.metc.org/programs.

HOLLY DAY

RECAP @ METC

Thanks to Morris County

Tourism for another fun

year of Holly Day events.

METC showcased holiday

decor by Kerry Patel of

Kerry Patel Designs and

a Pop-up exhibit, Winter

Fun in the 19th Century.

METC also hosted musical

performances by

Broadway actor, singer

and musician, Tom

Sellwood.

www.morristourism.org

C o l l e c t i o n s H i g h l i g h t : S e w i n g M a c h i n e

On view as part of the Narrative Threads exhibit is a decorative, cast iron sewing machine that was made by the Bremer & Brückmann company in Germany, likely sometime between 1870 - 1880. It was operated using a hand-cranked wheel mecha-nism on the right hand side. By the late 19th cen-tury, sewing machines had revolutionized the effi-ciency of sewing cloth both in the home and in tex-tile producing centers.

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Our beautifully re-designed gift shop makes a great place to shop for Valentine's Day gifts. From hand dyed scarves to leather rose pins and new stock from the Garden Goat Soap of Madison, you will find unique hand made items. New lotion scents from Garden Goat include Bergamot & Black Tea and Lavender. Scented soaps are also available in different gift sets, including a large heart with decorative rose blossoms carved onto the surface.

The MCJ Amelior Foundation

is proud to support

The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts

S h o p L o c a l f o r Va l e n t i n e ’ s D a y !

The popularity of HGTV's home improvement and real estate shows is a pretty clear indicator that people love to watch renovation projects. But here at METC, we don't just watch them, we DO them!! And anyone familiar with our beautiful historic building will know that we have been restoring and renovating this magnificent structure for the last few years. Our latest phase of exterior work is almost complete and we are excited that we will now be turning our focus to the interior of the building with a long-planned assessment of the original paint, decorative stenciling and other interior features.

But before we move inside, we just want to take another look at how stunning our building looks from the outside. Over the last six years, the limestone and granite stone has been raked, re-pointed and sealed, and the building was recently cleaned, restoring its original white color. We also replaced the 118 year old slate roof with historically appropriate new red slate and installed two brand new terra cotta fleur de lis finials atop the tower. As one of the most extraordinary buildings in Madison, the James Library building, as it is officially known, continues to be a cornerstone of our lovely and historic community. We are glad we can do our part to make it look its best.

As we move forward, we will be partnering once again with Historic Building Architects, Madison Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust and the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust to conduct an assessment of the museum's ornate interior features, including the painted and stenciled brick, the elaborate wood carved fireplace, the vaulted ceilings with textured paint and all the other intricate details.

As you can tell, we love this building, and we love caring for it. We may not have our own HGTV show, but we certainly have our own "fixer upper" that will rival anything you can see on tv!

R e n o v a t i o n s , R e s t o r a t i o n s & R o o f s !

After 2018 renovations

Page 7

T h a n k Yo u f o r Yo u r S u p p o r t ! New & Renewing Members and Donors to the Annual Appeal*

W i n t e r N e w s l e t t e r 2 0 1 9

Mr. & Mrs. David E. Axelrod Mr. Joseph L. Balwierczak Dr. Suzanne G. Bowles Mrs. Nancy Bruce Mr. & Mrs. John Bunnell Mr. & Mrs. Michael Caulfield Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Chapman Mr. J. Citron & Ms. S. Miller Citron Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Chapman Mr. & Mrs. Robert Clark Mr. & Mrs. William Clossey Mrs. Margery Van Court Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ewig Ms. Rebecca Fields Drs. Allan & Jo Renee Formicola The Honorable Rodney Frelinghuysen Ms. Marion O. Harris

Mr. & Mrs. Rodger Herrigel Mr. & Mrs. H. Mike Hilgendorff Mr. & Mrs. John Hogan Mr. John F. Hoover Mr. Christon S. Kellogg & Ms. Helen Kaar Mr. & Mrs. E. R. Kerkeslager Mr. David P. Langlois Mr. & Mrs. Joe Loudermilk Ms. Lenore Luckey Mr. & Ms. James Hanrahan Ms. Dawn Odell Ms. Jennifer Glock-Cuozzo Mr. & Mrs. Frank Lang Mr. & Mrs. William List Ms. Maria Lupo Madison Public Library Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Magill

Ms. Mai-Ning Thayer Mr. & Mrs. George Mandala Mr. & Mrs. Donald Marcy Ms. Diane Mann & Mr. Dennis McKee Mr. & Mrs. Alan Moors Ms. Marilyn Musielski Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Mullins Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Murnick Network For Good Parsippany Public Library Mr. Ronald H. Partizian Ms. Dominique Peck - Meyer Mr. & Mrs. Dominick Petrosino Ms. Anna Riker Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Rosevear Ms. Andrea Shenocca Mr. Michael Schloff

Ms. Elizabeth Hochberg Ms. Chris Schorr Mr. & Mrs. Kevin R. Smith Mr. & Mrs. Allan Staats Ms. Ellen Steinberg & Mr. Peter Humphreys Mr. & Mrs. William Sweeney, Jr. Mrs. Donald Thomson Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Torpie Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Turvey Mr. & Mrs. Edward K. von der Lind Ms. Meg Wastie Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Webb Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Wolkowitz *As of 1-25-2019

Become an METC Member Today! Our members are the support structure of the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts. Members are partners in

our mission to tell the story of early settlers’ lives and to preserve and explore the timeless cultural values of

pre-industrial society in America. Become a member online at www.metc.org.

Individual Membership Benefits

Free admission throughout the year

Invitations to exclusive members-only events

Special discounts in the METC gift shop

Monthly members-only updates

Family Membership

All member benefits for one year

All adults living at the same address and all children and/or

grandchildren under 18 years old.

Patron Membership All family member benefits for one year

Rent the James Library Building for private events

Receive the benefits of The North American Reciprocal

Association (NARM) membership.

Library Museum Pass Program For libraries and other institutions looking to offer benefits to their patrons

The North American Reciprocal Association (NARM)

Over 1,000 arts, cultural and historical institutions, botanical gardens, children’s museums, science and technology centers. Members receive free admission and discounts at participating NARM organizations.

9 M a i n S t r e e t

M a d i s o n , N J 0 7 9 4 0

Museum of Early Trades & Crafts founded by Edgar & Agnes Land in 1969 with their

original collection of over 8,000 artifacts.

Mission Statement Our mission is to foster the understanding,

cultivation, and appreciation of America’s past by presenting and interpreting the history, culture, and

lives of the inhabitants of New Jersey from its earliest settlement through the present day.

Acknowledgements

METC gratefully acknowledges generous funding from: The Fred W. Bruehne Trust • Borough of

Madison • The Charles L. Read Foundation • Hyde & Watson Foundation • Madison Rotary • Madison

Downtown Development Commission • Investors • Morris County Historic Preservation Trust • New

Jersey Council for the Humanities • Orange Orphan Society

The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts receives an

operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission,

a division of the Department of State.

METC Board of Trustees Thomas Judd, Chair

Ronald H. Partizian, Vice Chair Tyler Merson, Secretary

Irene Maroney, Treasurer Eleanor Barbash Berman

Andrew B. Boles Rodger K. Herrigel Christon S. Kellogg

Michael Schloff Dr. Richard Veit Virginia Wilson

Ex-Officio The Honorable Bob Conley, Mayor of Madison

Advisors to the Board

Nino Coviello Stacy Russo David Strand

METC Staff

Deborah Farrar Starker Executive Director

Angelica Diggs

Assistant Director, Operations

Hilary May Curator of Education

Karen Spicer

Curator of Collections

Nancy Phillippi Bookkeeper

Beth Ambrose

Patron Services Associate

Educators Kathleen Brennan Barrett, Pat Barrett,

Volunteers

Diane Celler-Samiljan

Or Current Resident

Museum of Early Trades & Crafts 9 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940 973-377-2982 fax: 973-377-7358 www.metc.org

V i s i t o r s W e a v e a n A r t P i e c e

Our current exhibit Narrative Threads: New Jersey Quilts and Textiles contains an interactive, hands-on component that encourages visitors to explore the materials used to create textiles. All are invited to try a hand at weaving on a table loom, courtesy of Anne Choi of Middle Brook Fiberworks. Since the exhibit's opening, visitors have made great progress in weaving a beautiful work of fiber art! Come visit us today to participate in this creative project.