Museum Catalog

Belt

1977.40

Circular, solid-silver belt with gold shield clasp. The belt is engraved with a floral pattern that covers the outer surface. The front shield is chased with a floral border engraved with the inscription, "Champion of the World, presented by the citizens of New York". The belt is inscribed with the names of the previous world champions from 1877, 1880, 1884, and 1887 (John McMahon).

Won by John McMahon of Bakersfield, VT, 1887.

Box

1959.58.3

Wooden box with finger-jointed corners. The box has a lid that hinges upward at the back with two small, metal hinges. There is a metal clasp at the center front, attached to the lid. The interior of the box is unfinished.

Likely made in East Calais, Vermont

Bracelet

1937.5.2

Bracelet consisting of an intricately crocheted band and a jeweled clasp. The band is crocheted from several strands of straight, dark brown human hair. The clasp consists of a large, clear glass gem between two etched, gold-plated band caps. One cap attaches with a hinge, and the other attaches with an inserted tab. The back of the claps is engraved with the initials "LPF".

Likely worn by Goldie Grace Ellis of Montpelier, Vermont, in memory of her sister, Lena Edna Fuller, who died in infancy. While the hair in the bracelet is certainly from an adult, both hair and completed jewelry could be purchased commercially.

Bracelet

1952.16.1

Bracelet made of dark brown human hair. The ends are secured with gold mounts attached to a rectangular gold clasp engraved with the initials "C P". The hair is decoratively knotted using lacemaking or macrame techniques.

Made from the hair of Clarissa Pollard of Plymouth, Vermont

Bracelet

1963.44.40

Bracelet woven out of dark brown hair. It is woven tightly in the center with large, round picots around the edges. The ends are bound with metal, and one clasp is engraved, "MT".

Bracelet

1968.44.1

Bracelet made of a woven tube of human hair. The clasps are no longer present.

Bracelet

1954.11.3

Bracelet consisting of a plaited band and a jeweled clasp. The band is plaited from several strands of straight, dark brown human hair. The clasp consists of a large, pink glass gem with a blue enameled frame between two blue enamels mounts. One mount attaches to the gem with a hinge, and the other attaches with an inserted tab.

Camera

2020.4.2a-b

Glass plate camera that folds into a box. When folded, the camera resembles a small carrying case, completely covered in highly textured leather with a short carrying strap on the top. The back side (b) detaches at both the top and the bottom with metal protrusions that slide into clasps. Additionally, a hinged door is placed in the center of the back piece allowing access to the glass plate. The front opens by pressing two concealed buttons at the top of the case. Once open, the lens and its attached purple leather bellows can be slid onto an extendable wooden track. A marker on the proper left indicates the focal distance, and there is a level on the proper right. A perioscopal viewfinder sits to the proper left of the lens, and a wider viewfinders sits on top of the case. A small plaque under the lens bears in the inscription, "TELE-PHOTO CYCLE-POCO C/ROCHESTER OPTICAL & CAMERA CO."

Used by George R. Bosworth in Berlin, VT

Camera

2009.51.1a-e

Glass plate camera that folds into a box. When folded, the camera slides into a small carrying case. The back side detaches at both the top and the bottom with metal protrusions that slide into clasps. Additionally, a hinged door is placed in the center of the back piece allowing access to the glass plate. Once open, the lens and its attached leather bellows can be slid onto an extendable wooden track. A small plaque under the lens bears in the inscription, "IMPROVED EMPIRE STATE MANUFACTURED BY ROCHESTER OPTICAL CO. Rochester, N.Y."

Used by Harry L. Chapman of Windham, Vermont

Campaign Button

2012.50.23

Round white button with safety clasp and the blue inscription, "VERMONT RIGHT WITH READY/By Baraba Cummings, Springfield, Vt." At the center top is an image of a waving United States flag.

Produced for the presidential campaign of Ronald Reagan

Case

2020.4.4a-b

Tan leather rectangular camera case with two interior compartments for storing a camera and 6 glass plate negatives. The case has a short, leather handle at the top and two metal figure-8 attachments for a removable shoulder strap (no longer present). The case opens at the top and is secured at the center front with a metal clasp. The inside of the top piece bears the gold inscription, "Tele-Photo-Poco/G/Rochester Optical & Camera Co./Rochester, N.Y." The interior is lined in cotton.
B is a fragment, likely from the shoulder strap.

Used by George R. Bosworth in Berlin, Vermont

Change Purse

1966.28.14

Small brown leather and velvet change purse with a metal top clasp.

Clasp

2017.3.12

Silver clasp or brooch with engraved and cut design. The clasp is in the shape of a circle with a hollow center. The central hole is rimmed with engraved sprigs. The outer edge and the middle are decorated with removed leaf shapes. The clasp is a hammered wire looped around a hold and spanning the center.

Silver clasp made by French traders to trade with Indigenous Americans.

Corset

1966.47.66

White cotton corset that is stiffened with cording. It is boned at the center front and back openings. It secures in the front with metal clasps and laces at the back. Each narrow boning channel is flossed at the top and bottom with cream-colored thread.

Document Trunk

1960.53.1

Small wooden trunk covered with leather. The edges of each side are decorated with brass tacks over strips of red leather. The top has a central brass carrying ring encircled by an oval of brass tacks over a strip of red leather. The front opening edge has a border of red leather cut wider than the edge of the lid, with a scalloped pinked edge. There is an iron lock at the center front with a hanging clasp that is inserted beneath the red leather edge decoration.

Dominoes

1953.3

Rectangular brown leather case containing 22 red double-6 domino pieces with white pips. The case hinges open and secures at the center front with a metal clasp.

Given to William Chapin by Grace Ordway of Chelsea, Vermont, in 1890. Grace and William got married in 1899.

Drawing

2021.36.26

A drawing of a clergyman with his hands clasped in prayer. He wears long robes and a cap. Signed only with “Paris 04.”

Drawing

2021.36.35

A woman sitting in a chair, full length. Her hands are clasped on her knee and she wears a white dress with puffy sleeves and her hair is up. She is cast in shadows. The chair is simple and not ornate. There is a sketch of one of her hands in the upper right hand corner. It is signed on the back and undated.

Drawing

2021.36.78

A full length portrait of a woman shown in 3/4 view from behind. She wears a white blouse and a dark skirt and her hands are clasped behind her. It is signed in the bottom right corner.

Figurine

1959.61.13

Unglazed white ceramic figure showing a child kneeling on a pillow. The child is shown wearing a chemise that has fallen off the shoulders and sits bunched above the child's waist. The hands are clasped between the child's thighs. The bottom is marked "171" in pencil.

Fob

1967.152.7

Watch fob with a hair chain. The chain is formed from crocheted loops of either horse hair or human hair. One end has a metal clasp, and the other end has a metal bar attached to a short length of metal chain.

Fob

1967.68

Metal watch fox with a central filigree disk. It has a chain looped around the disk with clasps at either end.

Hatbox

1976.9.10

Shaped leather travel case for a hat. The case has a round base, and the sides flare outward to the concave lid. A leather strap forms a handle across the width of the top. Another leather strap lays across the lid perpendicular to the handle and hangs over the front side to insert into a brass clasp.

Knee Buckles

1937.7.1a-b

Metal knee buckles. The borders consist a circle and an hourglass shape intertwined to form an oval. The latch bar has a two-pronged, U-shaped latch on one side, and an inward-facing two-pronged oval clasp on the other.

Said to have been worn by David Williams at the reception and dinner held in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette's visit in Royalton, Vermont, in 1824.

Medicine Case

1966.44.1

Black leather doctor's bag with short handles and brass clasp. The bag contains paper envelopes, glass vials, glass bottles, and a metal tube filled with various drugs.

Used by Doctor John Whitmore in Hebron, New Hampshire.

Membership Pin

2006.17.1

Silver hexagonal lapel pin with a safety clasp on the reverse. The front is molded with a stag's head in the center of an enameled green circle with the words, "CAMP MAPLE KNOLLS". The back is marked, "sterling". The pin was originally attached to a square piece of cardboard printed with the words, "STERLING SILVER".

Camp Maple Knolls for Boys was located in Northfield, Vermont, from 1953 until 1963.

Mug

2014.51.7

Dark blue ceramic coffee mug decorated with gold. The gold decoration consists of a rectangle across the bottom of the mug that says "SHARE POWER" with a semicircle at the center with an illustration of two clasped hands and the words, "CENTRAL VERMONT PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION".

Central Vermont Public Service Corporation (CVPS) was at one time the largest electricity supplier in Vermont

Old Gal

2006.46.5

This portrait depicts an elderly woman seated in a green Windsor armchair with a yellow cushion, while a pink cushion rests against the chair's back. She is dressed in a blue dress with a white collar, accompanied by a darker blue jacket or sweater. Her head is adorned with a black hat decorated with pink flowers, secured by a loose black ribbon beneath her chin. The woman's hands are clasped together in her lap, and she wears a serious expression on her face. The background of the portrait is gray, and the artwork is unframed.

Paper Doll

1967.156.12

Paper doll cut from a clothing catalog. It is printed in black and white and shows a woman in a thigh-length coat and skirt. She is wearing a hat with a upturned brim and pointed crown. The coat secures across the front with four long frog clasps.

The back shows a text descriptions of suits with line drawings of skirt suits seen from the back.

Paper Doll Dress

2004.72.131f

Printed paper coat dress for a paper doll. The red coat is trimmed with brown fur and has a large black frog clasp at the center front. The back is labeled in ink, "Winter Girl."

Owned by A. Fern Souther of Burlington, Vermont.

Paper Doll Dress

2004.72.129b

Blue and yellow Edwardian dress for a paper doll. The pink-skinned arms are bare and clasped in the front. The back shows a portion of a sales catalog page.

Owned by A. Fern Souther of Burlington, Vermont.

Pelerine

1963.62.2b

Cream or pale green pelerine with lace collar. The short cape opens at the center front and has no clasps to secure it closed. The hem extends downward dramatically at the center front. There is a wide fall collar of self fabric, and a multi-layered ruffle of lace netting around the neckline and front opening (left side). The pelerine is lined and stiffened with heavily starched buckram gauze.

Worn by Caroline Betsy Weaver of Plymouth, Vermont

Pince-Nez

1965.57.2a-b

Metal framed pince-nez glasses with clear oval lenses. The nose clasp is cushioned with cork. They are accompanied by a black leather case embossed with an illustration of an eyeball surrounding the label, "DR. HICKS OPTICAL CO. 137 CENTRAL ST. LOWELL, MASS."

Purse

1974.2.4

Small, black velvet purse with silver-toned metal beaded embroidery. The purse is decorated with a design of an urn of flowers above two leaves or branches. The bottom is edged with fringe formed of the same beads, and the sides are decorated with tassels of the same beads. The top opening is secured to a metal clasp that is attached to a silver chain.

Used by a relative of Ina Eschenheimer in Montpelier, Vermont

Purse

1988.25.9

Small beaded purse or handbag. The white, gold, and silver colored glass beads are stitched to yellow fabric in a bow and leaf design. The top opening is finished with a silver clasp, and there is a silver chain.

Owned by Marguerite Edson McKee of Montpelier, Vermont.

Purse

1988.25.12

Black satin purse with short strap and rhinestone and gold clasp. Inside is lined with black silk, are there are two side pockets.

Owned by Marguerite Edson McKee of Montpelier, Vermont.

Purse

1988.25.13

Silver mesh evening bag with silver clasp and chain handle.

Owned by Marguerite Edson McKee of Montpelier, Vermont.

Purse

1976.43.278

Small cream-colored purse that is heavily beaded in very delicate glass beads interspersed with a very finely woven and stitched floral designs. The front side of the purse is heavily embellished with a flower, leaf and vine design and the back side of the purse is simpler with only a design of a bow. The top of the purse is metal and attaches with a clasp that opens and closes. A metal chain hangs across the top and attaches at either end to opposite sides of the purse.

Richard G. Wood

1967.170.1

Oil painting, showing a middle-aged white man with brown hair. He is shown sitting from the waist up with his crossed legs visible at the bottom edge. He has his hands clasped in his lap. He is wearing a suit consisting of a dark blue jacket, vest, and pants, a white shirt, and a blue tie. The man has light brown hair and blue eyes. The background is blue with a beige curtain in the back left. The painting is within a gilded wood frame.

Richard G. Wood was a former director of the Vermont Historical Society.

Royall Tyler

2010.29.1

Oval miniature in gold frame. Domed glass front and back. Portrait of Royall Tyler wearing a high collared black coat and powdered wig with hair pulled back. Long silver sideburns.
Case is brown leather with a push button clasp. The gold velvet interior of the bottom is built up with a recessed area to fit the miniature. The lid is lined in beige satin.

Senator George Edmunds

1938.11.1

This oval portrait depicts a man who appears to be middle-aged. He is wearing a white shirt, a black stock or bowtie, a vest, and a jacket. He has a high forehead and a full beard. Additionally, he is wearing a pocket watch, which is attached to a chain that is clasped in the buttonhole of his vest. An ornament on the fob is heart-shaped in design.

Shoe Buckles

1948.7.2a-b

Silver-toned metal shoe buckles. The buckles are rectangular with rounded edges. The borders consist of two stripes of metal connected evenly with round dots. The latch bar has a two-pronged, U-shaped latch on one side, and an inward-facing two-pronged quadrilateral clasp on the other.

Worn by 2nd Lieutenant Joseph W. Waldo of Royalton, VT who served in Co. A, 16th Vermont during the Civil War.

Shoes

1966.47.61a-b

Small, brown leather Mary Jane style shoes sized for a young child. Each shoe secures at the ankle with a strap held by a silver clasp. The insole is stamped with the word "FRANCE". The sole is soft leather. One shoe is missing its sole.

Sketch

2021.36.7

A drawing of a man sitting in a chair with his hands clasped and his legs spread slightly apart. He wears a long coat and long pants and appears to have white/light hair. He is looking down at the ground between his feet. Signed in the bottom right corner and undated.

Skirt Lifter

1954.24.3a-b

Black-painted metal tension clasp with an applied hand. The clasp is shaped like a safety pin and culminates in two round loops. The far end is attached to a short length of chain that culminates in a bent metal bar.

Owned by a member of the Dewey family in Montpelier, Vermont

Snowshoe Bindings

1995.3a-b

Pair of snowshoe bindings consisting of a shaped plastic base and cotton webbing straps. The base is shaped with vertical extensions on both sides and a tab that curls over the toe. There are two straps, both of which are adjustable with plastic clasps. One strap strings through the toe tab and connects to the front side extensions. The other strap connects to the back side extensions and is much longer than the front strap. The base is labeled, "TUBBS" and "TD|91".

Used by William Osgood of Northfield, Vermont.

Sporran

2009.41.1c

Horsehair covered leather pouch with a chased silver top clasp. There are two black horsehair tassels on the front of the bag, and it is attached at the back to a narrow leather strap.

Owned by Frank Chalmers, Jr. of Barre, Vermont, and later John L. Black, Jr. of Barre, Vermont.

Susan Elizabeth Griggs Dewey

1989.23.3

Oval portrait of a woman seating wearing a blue gown with a pink central bodice and black, fur shawl. Her dark hair is curled close to her head and held in a chin-length style and she has a small smile. Her dress is embellished with self-fabric ruffles along the center edges. She is draping her right arm on a white marble table and loosely clasping her hands in front of her.

Susan Dewey lived in Montpelier and was the mother of Spanish-American War hero Admiral George Dewey.

T-Shirt

1991.66.1

Whit t-shirt printed at the center front chest with a logo consisting of two clasped hands within an oval. The oval has cow spots. It is surrounded by the words, "KaReLiA-vErMoNt / BrOtHeRs & SiStErS / BuSiNeSs ExChAnGe / FoUnDeD mAy 1991".

The Karelia-Vermont business exchange was a partnership set up by the Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation and the Soviet Information Service. It consisted of 24 people from Karelia touring businesses across Vermont.

Toilet Kit

1953.9.1a-s

Rectangular black leather case that unfolds to reveal several interior compartments. The main compartment is a leather-covered tin box with dividers that contains a miniature basket made from a hazelnut, two combs, an emery book, a crochet hook, and a glass needle. The two other sections of the case consist of central straps stitched at regular intervals to create channels, and protective flaps at the top and bottom.

The case secures with a round brass clasp. To open, the center button is pulled downward with no key.

Owned by Susy Taylor Pollard of Ludlow, Vermont

Toilet Kit

1966.47.57a-e

Boxed gift set containing grooming objects for a baby. The box consists of a base and a hinged lid; the lid makes up the top and sides of the box and hinges open from the back. The top is labled, "Baby Toilet." The interior is lined with light blue satin. The base is shaped to hold the objects inside, including clasps that are hidden beneath the lining fabric. Contained within the box is a cylindrical powder box with an illustration of a white baby wearing pink, a white hair brush with soft white bristles, and a white comb with 2 widths of teeth.

Trinket Box

1976.43.133

Trinket box made from birdseye maple. It has machine dovetailed joints, along with a metal hinge and clasp. Its exterior is coated with a light varnish, while the interior remains in its natural state.

Likely owned by a member of the Kent family of Calais, Vermont.

Tumbler

2011.29.7

White plastic cup printed with two long-faced beasts, one dressed in a suit, the other in a dress and veil, clasping hands through a large ring. The ring is printed with the words "JEFF" and "TRINI" with the word "AND" in the center. The date "AUGUST 6 1994" is across the bottom.

Wallet

1952.11d

Leather trifold wallet for holding a medal. At the center of the top flap is a small metal clasp in the shape of a horseshoe. The interior is labeled with the name, "GENL. WM. SMITH."

Owned by Major General William "Baldy" Smith of St. Albans, Vermont

Wallet

1980.5.2

Small red leather wallet with a red lining. It secures with a metal clasp at the center of a front flap. The label, "Mary A. Templeton, Montpelier, Vt." is printed inside the from flap. There are calling cards inside.

Owned by Mary A. Templeton of Montpelier, Vermont.

Watch Chain

1967.98.2

Gold-toned watch chain with round, hinged locket. There is a metal clasp at either end of the chain. Another short chain is attached on the long chain with an eye ring, allowing it slide along the long chain. The short chain terminates in a straight metal bar at one end, and a round, hinged locket on the other. The face of the locket is engraved with a shield and floral flourishes. It opens to reveal a glass- or mica-fronted frame that has not been filled. There is a partial link welding to the center of the chain. One clasped has the stamped mark, "SP", and the other clasp has a larger, illegible mark.

Owned by Oliver Dobey in Montpelier, Vermont

Watch Chain

1982.24.88

Gold-toned metal watch chain. The links alternate between flat circles and twisted braid. There are two chain sections connected by two circular clasps.

Likely owned by a member of the Goodhue or Coolidge families of Burlington and Plymouth, Vermont.