Month: April 2023

Cayuga Museum of History and Art Fabrication: Telling Stories Through Clothing

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They say to save the best till last, and in this case it is true. This exhibition was interesting and fun to see. Clothing really does tell a story and the Cayuga Museum did a phenomenal job with this exhibit.

Wedding Dresses – Early America brides wore their Sunday best dress when marrying. These dresses could be any color or style. Dresses in this era were expected to be re-worn. Here’s an example of one Cayuga County bride’s wedding dress in the 1800’s.

In the early 1900’s things began to change and color was introduced into the mix.

By the 1920’s..

While white bridal dresses with satin and lace are associated with Western culture this did not happen till Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840. White stains too easily as the information on the signage of this exhibit states. This change did not occur until post-industrial revolution. An evolution of the white wedding dress follows..

And what the groom wears – little change since the 1800’s.

The Exhibit also did a nice display of how dresses have changed since the 1920’s ..

Then the 1930’s with a longer skirt and higher waist.

Fast-forward to the 1960’s and 1970’s..

And some made in Auburn, N.Y. clothing..

What elegant fashion from Auburn, N.Y. in the mid-1900’s.

This concludes my visit to the Cayuga County Museum. Am looking forward to the opening of the Case Research Laboratory which is on the grounds of the Museum, however, not yet open for the year. Here we’ll learn the work of Theodore Case, the inventor of “talkies,” is exhibited.

Stay Tuned.

Exhibits: Prison and Uniforms

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Auburn is a prison town and has been for over a century. The Museum captures this history in a display of interest.

The Guards

The female inmates resided on the top floor of the prison for a period of time prior to being placed elsewhere.

The Reformer

Uniform Exhibit – can you name the era??

Early Girl Scout Uniforms

Not a uniform but a piece of controversial clothing which began a revolution – the bloomers

Civil War Uniform – in amazing condition

Some WWII Uniforms – Male and Female

Isn’t it amazing what small waists these folks had?

The Willard Mansion

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This Mansion is a work of art. The welcoming stairway, the woodwork..

The Fireplaces – marble and wood

Wedgewood Dishes – Bullfinch Pattern and fine pewter.

Dollhouse From the 1800’s

What unique finds this house holds!

For almost 100 years this Mansion was the home to the Willard and Case families. Construction began in 1836, by John Seymour, however, due to a financial panic the first owner lost his fortune and turned the home over to the bank. In 1843, the partially completed mansion was purchased by the Case’s for $4500.

Case offered the mansion to the county for a museum in 1934, to use as a museum and art center with the new museum opened in 1936.

Currently the properties are planning an enlarged museum and art center.

Cayuga County Museum

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So much of Cayuga County started with the following man, Dr. Sylvester Willard and his family.

Orphaned early in life Sylvester went to live with his Uncle, a physician. During this time in the 1800’s the life span of Americans was 25 years old. Due to his parents demise Sylvester was drawn to a career in medicine. Becoming a doctor in the 1800’s was achieved through apprenticeship practicing with a physician 2-3 years as there were only a handful of medical schools in America. By 1876, according to museum documents 73 new medical schools opened.

The Willard-Case Family Lineage

While working as a physician Willard invested in a corn starch factory. Here he made his fortune. He continued to invest in railroads, factories, and other business ventures.

Dr. Willard’s Medical Office

What a phenomenal family history. Upon Dr. Willard’s death his 2 maiden daughters left their home to cousin Theodore Case, who invented sound in film technology. Dr. Willard’s daughters built the famed Willard Chapel dedicated to their parents and a Tiffany masterpiece. In their familial home a Tiffany window is present.

How lovely..

Stay tuned as there are other fascinating exhibits at this Museum. In travel, you never know what you will find..

The Schweinfurth Art Center – New Exhibit Made in NY Auburn, N.Y.

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Nice Signage for the Children’s Room at the Museum

Visited the Spring Exhibition of this Art Center which occurs from March 25- May 28th. Was quite impressed by the Made In New York artists. Think you will be as well. Much of the work was done in mixed mediums with fabrics, nature, plastic, and ceramics. What I have found fascinating visiting Museums in the last decade is the amount of art created from trash. This was seen in Theda Sandiford’s Exhibit which will appear later in this blog. That said, let’s take a look.

Good Vibrations from Paul Brandwein of Rochester, N.Y. An abstract made with natural forms.

Lea’s Mycena, by Connie Noftsier, of Croghan, N.Y. Taken from a stroll in the woods – mushrooms, and delicate flowers.

Chevron Sky, Barry Lobdell of Saranac Lake, N.Y. 70 degrees in November – who says no climate change?

Colden Sunrise, Karen Sienk, Colden, N.Y. Photo digitally printed on cotton fabric.

Some other items on display.

A wall hanging done with fibers.

Coconut Fonds making a women’s undergarments.

A digital photograph transferred to burlap.

Glass transformed into sculpture. Beautiful.

A memorial created by a survivor of physical and mental abuse from her parents.

Another interesting work which reminds me of The Dinner Table, by Judy Chicago, in permanent residence at the Brooklyn Museum.

A close up of the work.

Another interesting exhibit by a New York State man, Tyrone Johnson-Neuland, whose day job is Assistant Director of Instructional Technologies at SUNY Oswego. His works were inspired by travels to Panama where he explored the diversity in this country. Not only are his works amazing they are priced extremely reasonable, $350 on up, for one who is a national exhibitor.

And lastly the exhibition of Theda Saniford, Triggered, Truth & Transformation – here this New Jersey based artist displays her works created from garbage finds.

These grocery carts decorated with twine, plastic tines, netting are for sale in the $10,000. range.

Black Ballerina, $7500. made with black glitter, cotton rope, ribbon, yarn, and zip ties.

XXXXX

Want to end with this piece by Ithaca native, Bill Hastings. Made of plastic zip ties and found it quite beautiful.

Sway, 2021

So much of these works were developed during the Pandemic era with artists stating their ideas came during this pause.

Interesting.

The Next Chapter

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Another Date Night

This is my second trip to this venue. Love their soups and beer but tonight tried their wood fired pizza which was also tasty.

Where it’s made and the finale..

As you can see I enjoyed the fare..

They also have music and trivia. Here’s their bulletin board listing..

The Bar

and the musicians…

And all this delicious beer and food is made in the next room. Would love a tour.

So, if you are in the area stop by for a brew, pizza, or whatever.

I guarantee a good time.

The Next Chapter is in the Genesee Center right on Genesee Street – a stones throw from Wegman’s.

And did I mention great prices??

April 4th Celebratory Days..

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In trying to locate something to write about decided to check out what is celebrated on April 4th.. Came across this interesting web site http://www.holidays-and-observances.com/april-4.htm, and will highlight a few entries from this site, some good, some not so good.

National Vitamin C Day

  • Holy Tuesday in the Christian Church
  • Martin Luther King assassinated in 1968
  • Hug a Newsperson Day

  • International Carrot Day

  • Tell a Lie Day

  • Jeep 4×4 Day

And finally, it’s the 94th day of the year!

National Rainbow Day: April 3rd

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Into each day a little rain must fall, however, then there is the rainbow.

In a world full of angst and challenges, let us look for the rainbows.

So what causes rainbows??

According to Auntie Google – rainbows are caused by light shining through water.

When sunlight hits a rain droplet, some of the light is reflected. The electromagnetic spectrum is made of light with many different wavelengths, and each is reflected at a different angle. Thus, spectrum is separated, producing a rainbow.

And look for what is at the base of the rainbow.

Women’s Hall of Fame

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Along the Cayuga-Seneca Canal River Walk is the Women’s Hall of Fame. Here great women of inspiration have been highlighted since 1969. More than 300 inductees from American history and present day have been honored. Those in the arts, sciences, and politics, have found mention, and acclaim in this space. The exhibit was fascinating, and more interesting exhibits are planned.

This building is of particular note as it was a functional knitting mill from 1844-1999. The mill exhibit is another fascinating piece. The building has been under construction for 7 years and retains the original floors and beams.

Those who we know of, and those we don’t..

Women in Sports..

Julie Krone, inducted in 1993, won the prestigious Triple Crown in Racing and over 3700 races.

Tammy Duckworth – politics and military has several firsts.

  • First disabled female elected to congress.
  • First woman to fly missions in the Iraq War.
  • First woman to give birth as a congress woman.
  • She hails from Illinois.

And let us end with Susan B. Anthony.

In 1872, 15 women from Rochester registered to vote and voted. Later there votes were found illegal, however, 14 were let go, but Susan B. Anthony was jailed. She was fined $500. of which her lawyer paid, as she would not. In her trial she conveyed the 14th Amendment as her defense, however, found guilty and charged another $100,, of which she did not pay. This bench is from the Rochester Court were the trial occurred.