Museum Exhibit a Change of Perspective

The Concord Museum's gift to the town for its 375th birthday is an exhibit of household items from generations of Concord families many of which were either displayed in other parts of the facility or packed away in storage.

Curator Dave Wood said it was an opportunity to show family treasures in a different way, as he explained how the exhibit came together.

"...into your hands" represents items from fine china to clothing to weapons from 12 generations of families that were passed down and finally donated to the museum, he said.

There is a cashmere shawl that belonged to Ellen Tucker Emerson; a dress from a four-year-old; a waffle iron from the Barrett family. There is Daniel Shattuck's china cheese cover, and place settings from the Hugh Cargill family that dates from 1725 to 1740.

"Some of the objects came from far away, and others never moved more than half a mile from where they were created," said Wood.

Included is the powderhorn worn by Pvt. Abner Hosmer at the fight at the North Bridge on April 19, 1775 where he was killed. It was a gift to the museum in 1936.

Wood said the staff considered what the museum could do for the town to honor its 375th anniversary in September, and decided to "filter our collection" to showcase cherished family items.

Public Relations Director Carol Haines said one of the nice features to the exhibit is the book of comments left by art patrons about their own family heirlooms.

"Many of the things hadn't been on view before," said Wood. "It was interesting in that regard to explore our collection in a different way."

He said he began to see the artifacts not as valuable but unrelated articles, but telling the story of families in Concord.

"That was the fun part," said Wood.

He said every object had a record; a letter from the donor's family as to its provenance.

Assembling the exhibit usually takes a month, he said, but the planning takes much longer. The exhibit will be up until Sunday, September 19.

The museum is at 200 Lexington Road. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students with ID, $5 youth 6-18. Members and children under 6 are free.

Open seven days a week from 9 to 5 from June to August.

Comments from the public about their own family heirlooms:

(a young boy) "I got a pocket knife that has been passed down throughout my family since 1773.  It is very old and still works."

"We have a rug that our great grandmother handmade and wove.  It will always be a treasured possession to us."

"I have the trunk my great grandfather brought to Ellis Island when he arrived from Ireland approximately 1900.  It will be passed to my daughter someday."

"My family has kept letters from my great great grandmother in Italy to my great grandfather in the US about 1905."

"I have my grandfather's Hebrew prayer book with a bullet hole in it from when he was shot in the Ardennes in World War II."

"My name is Audrey and my mom has a hat that was given to her mom which was given to her mom which will eventually be given to me."

"My engagement ring is made from my great grandmother's diamond and my fiancé's grandmother's ring.  A new family heirloom!"