Exhibit - Research & Exhibition Gallery

A Family Record

A calligraphy record of names, births, marriages, and deaths of the Slye family of Bennington County. The record begins with James Slye, born Sept. 1760, and ends with Salome B. Slye, born August 3, 1804. The paper is decorated with pen and ink and watercolors, featuring decorative columns supporting an arch that encloses the words "A Family Record" along with a rising sun. The art work has been affixed to a paper backing. The family record is set in a wooden frame with glass; the guilded frame is of molded wood with mitered corners.

2010.31.18

This intricate family record was created for the Slye family of Bennington County, Vermont. Based on the handwriting and history of ownership, it was probably created for daughter Martha Slye on the occassion of her marriage in 1824 or perhaps the birth of a child a few years later. Death and marriage entries after the 1820s are executed in a different hand and the record ceases to record information at Martha's death in 1849. The wooden backing of the frame has further marriage information documenting the descent of the record through mostly a female line to the donor.

A Scene Near Woodstock

Oil painting on board showing a green field. There are trees on the right, and hills and mountains in the background. There is a sketch of a woman on the back of the board.

1957.1.345

JOHN NELSON MARBLE (1855-1918), sketch artist and painter, was a Woodstock native, one of 12 children of Liberty Bates Marble and Elizabeth Woodward Marble. He spent his youth in and about Woodstock, and even at a young age showed a great aptitude for painting. At age 18, he was enrolled at the Normal Art School in Boston, and from there was one of the first students to attend the Art Students’ League in New York, in 1875, where he also kept a studio for a number of years. He later studied at the Academie Julian in Paris and spent the summer of 1900 in Florence, Italy, where he visited the studio of famous Woodstock sculptor Hiram Powers.

He spent most of his adult life in Santa Barbara, California, for his health, and enjoyed exploring the surrounding foothills on horseback, delighting in the splendid opportunities for outdoor life. It was while living in California that he became known as a colorist and produced most of his landscapes. But he is best known for his prolific facial renderings which reveal a remarkable and engaging study of character.

Mr. Marble returned to the East Coast in 1916 to complete a commission to paint perhaps his most famous work, a life-size portrait of Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science, which today hangs in the historic Statehouse in Concord, New Hampshire. In Woodstock, he painted portraits of many prominent locals: Frederick Billings, Frederick Billings, Jr., Mrs. Frederick Billings, Rev. Moses Kidder, and A. B. Wilder, among many others. He cordially welcomed visitors to his studio here, where there was much interest in both his charm and his canvases, and he was known for his “gentle, dignified presence.” He died in 1918 as a result of pneumonia, at the Marble family homestead in Woodstock (the current site of Cabot Funeral Home), having never married.

-- From Woodstock History Center

Abenaki Doll

Doll - needs description

L2024.3.85

Admiral George Dewey

Silver-painted portrait bust of Admiral George Dewey. He has a large mustache, and his hair is parted in the center. He is wearing a double-breasted military coat with rectangular epaulets. The round base is molded with a flying eagle and architectural decorative elements.

1969.28.23

Alfred Randall

Full length profile portrait of a young man in pen and ink with watercolor highlights. The man faces left and has his left hand on his hip. He holds a tall beaver hat in his right hand. He is dressed in black pants, a black cutaway jacket, a cream colored vest, a white shirt with stand-up collar, and and a white cravat. Pinned to the cravat is a gold chain with a brooch. A blue and red watch fob with metal ornament drapes from his right front hip area. The man's hair is cut short, swept forward in front of the ears and forward, and into a wave at the forehead. There is stylized grass and rocks in foreground, and written in ink on left side of portrait is the inscription, "Alfred Randall/ Portland/ County of Cumberland/ State of Maine" Written in ink on right side of portrait is, "A Compliment to his/ affectionate Mother/ Resident Derby V.T."

1985.7.4

Alfred Randall, a native of Greensboro, Vermont, had this portrait produced for his mother while he resided in Portland, Maine. Portraits such as this were created by first tracing a silhouette of the sitter and then filling in facial features. The body was usually a generic form the sitter could choose to finish out the artwork.

Animal Tag

Pair of metal animal tags. The two tags (a) are conjoined by a metal ring: the first tag has curved edges and is colored green with the words “DOG TAX / 97 / MORRISTOWN / VERMONT / 1970” stamped into the surface and the second in an octagon shape with the words “Vaccinated against rabies / Dumas Veterinary Hospital / Waterbury VT.” The tags’s documents (b) is a paper document with information about the dog and its rabies vaccination certificate number.

(a) Pair of metal dog tags on a ring. "Dog tag 97/ Morristown, Vermont/ 1970" and "Vaccinated against rabies/ Dumas Veterinary Hospital, Waterbury, VT"
(b) Dog license #97. document describing the dog and recording its rabies vaccination certificate number. Signed by owner and town clerk.

1978.4.3a-b

Apothecary Bottle

Clear glass apothecary bottle with a round, glass stopper and a square base. A plastic label is inset into the front of the bottle and reads, "Pepto Bismol / Indegestion, Sour Stomach, Diarrhea / Norwich".

2010.72.9a-b

Used at the Cecchini Pharmacy in Barre, Vermont

Apron

Masonic apron consisting of white interior ground bearing several symbolic Masonic images. The symbols include the all seeing eye, a sun, a moon, the ark, a five-pointed star, a comet, a bush, a scale, the altar of knowledge, an anchor, a coffin, an hourglass, a heart, and various masonry tools. The apron is edged in blue, and the top flap is edged in black.

1957.4.22

Owned by Lewis Robinson of Reading, VT.

Armband

Armband consisting of a white plastic square and black elastic. The elastic attaches to the plastic on two sides, creating a loop. The plastic is printed with the Civil Defense logo (the red initials CD on a white triangle in a blue circle) with the words, "RADIOLOGICAL VERMONT".

2022.37.1

Worn by Joseph George Abair of Montpelier, Vermont

Arrow

Wooden arrow with conical iron point. Fletching replaced

L2024.3.69

Arrowhead

Brass arrowhead

L2024.3.36

The hole drilled in the arrowhead is both for hafting it to the arrow-shaft, as well as stringing them in bundles for sale.

Arrows

Wooden dowels with conical wooden heads

L2024.3.48a-e

Ashtray

Milk glass ashtray shaped like a pipe. The bowl is the pipe is hand painted with simplistic pink flowers with green leaves and the inscription, "SOUVENIR OF PLAINFIELD, VT."

2005.21.106

Austine School Foam Finger

Green felt foam finger outlining hand and pointer finger pointing upwards. "AUSTINE SCHOOL" inscription encircling a ball with a northwest pointing arrow piercing it.

2024.16.1

Austine School for the Deaf Brattelboro, VT

Ax Handle

Wooden handle

L2024.3.156

The axe handle snowshoe frames (L2024.3.157a-b) descended in a Missisquoi Abenaki family from Fonda Junction.

Baby Spoon

Metal baby spoon in cardboard and plastic packaging. The top of the cardboard packaging has a back-to-back double “R” in a ribbon design with baby blue and navy coloring, and the word “Reddy” printed in red underneath. On the top right, an image of a mother and baby embracing is printed in a blue monochromatic style. The metal spoon is encased in plastic and is a yellow latex covered bowl and a vine and rose decoration on the metal handle. The alternating dark blue and light red print reads, “Sof-tee / THE ORIGINAL / SOFT SPOON / FOR BABY / Harmlessly absorbs baby’s / bites. / Safe and comfortable for / baby’s tender gums and / emerging teeth. / Extra long handle reaches / the very bottom of the baby / food jars. / Sanitary finish. / Unconditionally / Guaranteed. / Petal soft Latex / covered bowl / Coated in U.S.A. / THE REDDY CO. INC., MONTPELIER / VERMONT 05602 / NO. S-49.”

1997.44.5

Badge

Olive green ribbon with a faded gold seal of the Christian Endeavor Society in the center and underneath the words "Twenty-first Annual Convention, Bennington, October 22-24, 1906."

1999.36.3

(From Encyclopedia Britannica)

"The Society of Christian Endeavor was founded in 1881 by Francis Edward Clark in Maine. He served as president until 1927. Members of the society pledged to try to make some useful contribution to the life of the church. Other churches soon organized Christian Endeavor societies, and the movement grew rapidly in the United States.

Francis Edward Clark, (born Sept. 12, 1851, Aylmer, Quebec, Can.—died May 26, 1927, Newton, Mass., U.S.), Congregational churchman and writer who founded and led Christian Endeavor.

Clark graduated from Dartmouth College in 1873 and Andover Theological Seminary in 1876. He was pastor of churches in Portland, Maine (1876–83), and South Boston (1883–87). In 1881 he founded the United Society of Christian Endeavor, an autonomous interdenominational organization of young people. Its members pledged to lead a Christian life, to pray to God and read the Bible every day, and to participate actively in the work of the church. In 1887 he resigned his pastorate to serve as the organization’s president.

Clark became president of the World Christian Endeavor Union in 1895 and traveled around the world five times in the interests of its work. Clark also edited The Christian Endeavor World (1887–1919) and wrote many books on religious themes for young people."

Badge

White button with the logo for the Society of Christian Endeavor -- an E within a C -- printed in red and an attached red ribbon. Printed in silver on the ribbon is: "35th annual Vermont Christian Endeavor Convention, Burlington, Oct. 10-12, 1922.

1999.36.12

(From Encyclopedia Britannica)

"The Society of Christian Endeavor was founded in 1881 by Francis Edward Clark in Maine. He served as president until 1927. Members of the society pledged to try to make some useful contribution to the life of the church. Other churches soon organized Christian Endeavor societies, and the movement grew rapidly in the United States.

Francis Edward Clark, (born Sept. 12, 1851, Aylmer, Quebec, Can.—died May 26, 1927, Newton, Mass., U.S.), Congregational churchman and writer who founded and led Christian Endeavor.

Clark graduated from Dartmouth College in 1873 and Andover Theological Seminary in 1876. He was pastor of churches in Portland, Maine (1876–83), and South Boston (1883–87). In 1881 he founded the United Society of Christian Endeavor, an autonomous interdenominational organization of young people. Its members pledged to lead a Christian life, to pray to God and read the Bible every day, and to participate actively in the work of the church. In 1887 he resigned his pastorate to serve as the organization’s president.

Clark became president of the World Christian Endeavor Union in 1895 and traveled around the world five times in the interests of its work. Clark also edited The Christian Endeavor World (1887–1919) and wrote many books on religious themes for young people."

Badge

Silver-toned shield-shaped pin that reads, "P.A.L. 30 Barre, Vermont". [Police Athletic League] that adheres above the left breast pocket of uniform jacket 2014.60.1280.

2014.60.1280b

Issued to employees of the Barre City Police.

Badge

Metal fire department badge. The gold colored metal badge (a) is a rampant eagle on the top of the shield with swirling decorations on the top and bottom of the shield. A flat circular band with two diamonds containing a simple cross of equal length arms in the center is on either side of the shield. Three overlapping bugles are in the center of the shield on a raised rippled background and encircled by a rope-like border. The words “MONTPELIER / FIRE DEPT.” debossed into the flat circular band. The two collar buttons (b-c) are gold colored circular metal pieces with a rope-like border and three overlapping bugles. The hat badge (d) is a circular metal gold colored piece with a solid border and three overlapping bugles. The cardboard box (e) is rectangular with an aged piece of paper that reads “FROM: / M. MacInnes / Fire Dept. / Montpelier Vt.” on the upper left edge and “For: / A. R. Bruce / 25 Fairview Avenue / Lebanon, N. H.” in the bottom center, all in black print.

2022.16.1

Worn by Archie Ray Bruce as a firefighter in Montpelier, VT

Bag

Paper gift bag. The bag is a long and thin light brown paper bag with vertical bands of either green or red stripes, with either color grouped into six stripes of different thicknesses. The opening of the bag is a small overhanging flap that is longer than the serrated edge at the top of the front panel. The words “THE MAYPOLE/ 88 State St., Montpelier, Vt./ Candy-Gifts-Greeting Cards" are stamped in black ink in the center of the front panel.

1998.3.1

Bag

Beaded trinket bag. Primarily blue, white, and yellow beaded in quatrefoil shape surrounded by zig-zag band. Yellow beaded loops around edge of bag.

L2024.3.133

This small quatrefoil beaded design pouch with its beaded loop fringe is an important piece. This pouch employs larger, more colorful beads not as well sewn down as in the previous items in the beadwork collection. This is probably a decorative piece for sale to the settlers, and shows the potential of the quatrefoil design in early Abenaki tourist art. These little bags were made in huge numbers throughout the Northeast. Most are attributed to the Seneca (Haudenosaunee) but the quatrefoil is pure Wabanaki and commonly seen in the American Abenaki area with the zigzag motif, also in evidence on the pouch.

Bag

Paper bag from Frost & Sigsbee of Brattleboro, Vermont. The bag is made of beige paper with printed black lettering and a graphic which shows objects found in a 19th- or early 20th-century drygoods store including a barrel, bags of rice, soap, coffee, and bottles. The top edge of the bag is scalloped.

The front of the bag is printed and stamped, "FULL SIZE / 5 / and weight" at the top edge. The front center of the bag is printed, "FROST & SIGSBEE, / NO. 8 CROSBY BLOCK, BRATTLEBORO, VT. / Wholesale and Retail / GROCERS. / Foreign and Domestic / Fruits, Nuts, Canned Goods, &c. / FLOUR, PRODUCE / Wooden Ware, Grass Seed, Fertilizers, &c. / FINE GOODS A SPECIALTY" in a variety of fonts around the image on the front. The back of the bag is printed with a guarantee of Frost & Sigsbee's coffee quality.

1992.71.2

Bag

White paper prescription bag. The top of the bag has “Prescriptions” in black cursive print and a graphic of an enclosed green shelving shadow box with blue outlined objects. These white objects with blue outlining include pills, a caduceus, a measuring glass half filled with liquid, a mortar and pestle, the Rx symbol, a scale, and capped bottle. Below this graphic, it reads, “SEIVWRIGHT PHARMACY / 28 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont / PHONE 223-5448” in black print. At the bottom, a black oval encases the words “Select Care,” and has the words “FOR HEALTHCARE VALUE” printed underneath. The back side of the bag, it reads “DID YOU FORGET?/ Convenient One Stop/ Shopping At Your/ Friendly Pharmacy" in black script. Additionally, it provides the information, "1-800-526-9032/ Cardinal Bag/ Mahwah, NJ 07430/ (recycle symbol) Recyclable Package/ M.O. 2-95/ NO. 12."

1998.35

Bag

Paper bag. The front is printed with an illustration of two cows in a green pasture beneath a blue sky. The words, "BEN & JERRY'S" run up the left edge, and at the bottom is a round logo showing a line drawing of two men and the words, "BEN & JERRY'S ICE CREAM". The back shows a continuation of the cow illustration.

1992.78.2

Bag

Plastic bag for carrots. The plastic bag is a rectangular shape and made from see-through plastic. Four holes are pierced into the front of the bag and a thick black line with the number “984” at the end, and a triple-R on the back, extends from the bag’s opening. The bag has tightly compressed printed orange lines, “Vermont Carrots” in bold green and black lettering, and a stamp-like oval containing images of fruits and the words “FRUITS & / Vermont / VEGETABLES/ good ‘n fresh.” Two green parallel lines frame the black write that reads, “NET WT. 16 OZ. (1LB.) 454g / PRODUCE OF U.S.A. / GROWN & PACKED BY / LEWIS CREEK FARM ? STARKSBORO, VERMONT 05487,” above the bottom seam.

1985.33.1

Bag

Heavy brown paper bag advertising "Brosseau's Super Market/ Hyde Park / Johnson / Morrisville / Choice Meats/ The store where you can really save with personal service and a smile." Also "Double strong extra heavy bag/ no double bagging needed."

1978.4.1

Bag

White, 12-ounce bag for chocolate chips. The bag reads "VAN HOUTEN" in gold letters around a round red logo with VH in the negative space. Under the logo in black text it reads "PURE SEMI-SWEET / CHOCOLATE CHIPS / NET WT. 12 OZ. 340g", and underneath this is the letter "K" in a circle followed by the word "PARVE" to indicate that the product is kosher. There is a cartoon image of 8 chocolate chips on the right side of the bag.

1991.53.2

Produced at the Van Houten & Zoon plant in St. Albans, Vermont.

An article from United Press International in 1982 said that Comet Confecionery of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, planned to open a chocolate chip plant in St. Albans beginning in 1983. It would be called C.J. Van Houten & Zoon. The Van Houten family got into the chocolate business in 1815 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Founded by Coenraad Van Houten, the company begain manufacturing cocoa powder in 1828. The new manufacturing process incolved treating cocoa mass with alkaline salt, making the product, known as "dutch process" chocolate, more water soluble. In the 19th century, Van Houten had extended into the other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

Bag

Gold, 12-ounce bag for chocolate chips. There is a red stripe on the bottom of the bag. The bag reads "GOURMET / Chips 'n' Chunks" on the left half, with a cartoon of a pile of chocolate chunks. The right half has a round red logo with VH in the negative space, the words "VAN HOUTEN / Real Semi-Sweet Chocolate / NET WT. 12oz 340g", and "$1.25" on a yellow price tag.

1991.53.3

Produced at the Van Houten & Zoon plant in St. Albans, Vermont.

An article from United Press International in 1982 said that Comet Confecionery of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, planned to open a chocolate chip plant in St. Albans beginning in 1983. It would be called C.J. Van Houten & Zoon. The Van Houten family got into the chocoate business in 1815 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Founded by Coenraad Van Houten, the company begain manufacturing cocoa powder in 1828. The new manufacturing process incolved treating cocoa mass with alkaline salt, making the product, known as "dutch process" chocolate, more water soluble. In the 19th century, Van Houten had extended into the other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

Bag

White plastic shopping bag. A printed plastic bag with forest green lettering and is made in a rectangular shape and gussets on either side of the front and back panels. The handles are rectangular with a square cut at the opening. “Paul’s” is written in slanted letters above the words “HOME / BAKE SHOP / & / Cake Decorating Store” which alternates cursive and bold printed script. At the bottom of the bag, it reads, “MONTPELIER / PHONE 223-2485” and “BARRE / PHONE 476-7781,” that are printed side by side. A graphic of a green rectangular bag with the words “hanal / tote” as a negative space, using the white plastic bag.

1988.24.1

This bag came from "Paul's Bakery" of Montpelier and Barre.

Bag

Brown paper bag printed with the logo for the Vermont Bicentennial. The logo consists of a simplistic line drawing of a church set into hills with fireworks in the sky.

1989.4.1

Produced for the Vermont Bicentennial celebration in 1991.

Bag

Wirthmore grain sack, St. Albans Grain Co.

1989.71.1

Bag

Small cotton drawstring bag. The top of the bag has an undecorated drawstring. The body is a rectangular shape with rounded edges and shows some discoloration from age. The center of the front panel has “The Best Shoes / For / BOYS AND / CHILDREN / at / ORLEANS / SHOES STORE” printed in black lettering.

1990.4.2

Made for Orleans Shoe Store in Orleans, Vermont

Ballot Box

Small wooden ballot box. The box consists of two parts: a four-sided base and a slide-out top. One side of the base of the shorter than the rest, and the top slides through the gap and into a groove cut into the interior of the remaining three sides. There is a large slot in the center of the top piece, and a light rectangle where a label used to be.

1959.53.7e

Used in Waterford, Vermont

Ballot Box

Ballot box used by members of the Upper Valley Community Grange #581. The rectangular box has a slight overhang for the top and base, and the top is divided into two hinged lids with a center pinned section to secure them. The vertical sides have mitered and pinned corners. The front section has two hinges connecting it to the center joint, and the lid lifts with interior curved sides and the front vertical panel to reveal a shallow compartment. There are wire stops on either side to hold this section open. There is a vertical divider between the front and back sections of the box with a round hole cut in the middle of it for placing a vote through anonymously. The back section of the ballot box has a flat hinged lid to cover it that rests on the vertical sides. There is a turned handle pinned to the middle of the back of the ballot box.

2024.4.1

Banjo

Open-backed Bacon Professional Banjo, manufactured between 1910 and 1915. Five-stringed banjo with star inlay on headstock and neck. Neck is made of rock maple wood, with an ebonized maple fingerboard inlaid with pearl position marks. Fingerboard bound with white celluloid. Rim is also made of rock maple, with inlaid diamond marquetry along the bottom edge. S-shaped carvings on the rim cap. Nylon strings. Floating bridge manufactured by Grover. Manufacturers' markings on reverse of head and rim (see "Inscription" for specifics on markings).

Banjo was acquired by the donor at an online auction with the intention of donating it to the Vermont Historical Society.

The Bacon Professional Banjo Company was founded in 1906 by Frederick J. Bacon. Bacon was a professional travelling musician before he founded the company. His first factory was in Forest Dale, VT, where he was a resident. While it is thought that he contracted some early instruments with the Vega company in Boston, there are pictures of Bacon Banjo craftsmen in Forest Dale from 1910. Still, the instruments may not have been manufactured but simply assembled in Forest Dale.
Many of the Bacon Banjos had Vermont maple wood in their construction. Early models were five-string banjos, and pricing for these banjos ranged from $40 to $125. While the Bacon products were considered well-made banjos, they were nowhere near the caliber of instruments made by companies such as Vega. One of Bacon's contemporaries referred to his banjos as either "axe-handle" or "shoe-polish" banjos.
However, the demand for Bacon Banjos was enough that Bacon expanded his factory in 1913 and, in 1915, the Bacon Banjo Company was incorporated in Groton, Connecticut. There, Bacon developed his manufacturing and was joined by David L. Day from the Fairbanks banjo company. The instruments manufactured in Groton have a manufacturer's mark of "B&D" for Bacon and Day. The factory remained there until 1938, when a hurricane destroyed most of the manufacturing space. Since the popularity of banjos had declined by then, Bacon and Day decided to sell the remainder of their company to the Gretsch Company. Gretsch continued to make banjos under the Bacon name until the mid 1960s. Bacon spent the rest of his life teaching music and repairing instruments, as well as occasionally performing before his death in 1948.

2017.13

Bank, Still

A bank in the shape of a "Vermont (transit)" bus. The bus is white with a three color green roadway on each side and a fully sprinting greyhound dog. "VERMONT" in dark green is toward the back of the bus. A U.S. flag is at the very front below the drivers window and on the door. "MADE IN CHINA" on the bottom just in front of the round porthole opening allowing owner to retrieve their money.

2008.17

Banner

Stamped square flag pennant designed by Dierdra Michelle. The pennant has a decorative heart in the center with a spray of flowers and is surrounded by the words "WE LOVE BARRE" and an orange, pink, and yellow painted rainbow border. Printed in black on the bottom is #LOVEYOUBARRE. The pennant has a taupe grosgrain ribbon sewn into the seam and a label on the back upper right corner for Dierdra Michelle Studio Arts with an Instagram QR code. The remaining three edges of the pennant are raw without hems.

This flag pennant was one of several designed and made by Michelle to support flood recovery efforts after the devastating July 2023 flooding.

2024.15.1

Bark Cone

Cone fashioned of birchbark

L2024.3.57

These quickly twisted bark cones, usually found in Canada, were meant to hold maple sugar. This one has a good Southern Quebec, Eastern Townships provenance. It does not seem old at all, so it may be a revival piece from the 1970’s or later.

Bark Container

Folded and stitched bark Container. Square base and round top. Marked on bottom, "K" and "1830."

L2024.3.108

This is, perhaps, the largest and most stereotypically native bark container from Vermont. It is a folded bark form; with square bottom and circular rim called a “Makuk” (a Great Lakes area term) in the trade. Maine examples are usually much more tapered toward the top than this one. The 1830 date seems a bit early for the level of oxidation and patination of the bark.

Barre Academy

"Barre Academy," by James Franklin Gilman, 1873. Charcoal and white gauche on brown paper. Depicts building with mansard roof and a smaller. Greek Revival building. Right center-many people clustered around it. The left center shows a large gabled house or top of a hill. There is a road which runs betwee the rwo buildings, several horses and carriages on the road.

2014.60.1314

This drawing by itinerant artist James Gilman depicts the Barre Academy (1852-1885) and boarding house. This private school was removed from the site to make way for Spaulding Graded School, the city's new public school, which opened in 1892. The new graded school was named after Jacob Spaulding (1811-1880), the longtime principal of Barre Academy. Spaulding Graded school became Spaulding High School and later middle school - ultimately closing in 1995. It's now the home of the Vermont History Center. Spaulding Graded School was built on the site of the boarding house seen to the right composition and the academy site is now the front lawn and approach to the institution.

James Franklin Gilman was born in 1850 in Woburn, Massachusetts to John and Elizabeth Gilman. His father was a cordwainer and his mother a seamstress. Early census records indicate his mother was born in Vermont. Little is known of his early life or education.

By the late 1860s he evidently made his living as an itinerant artist, often depicting the farm landscape and/or portraits of those providing him with room and board. Works remain of farms and people in Chelmsford, Groton, and Billerica, MA.

In 1872 he arrived in Barre, Vermont, a tall man with red hair and a distinctive red beard. He spent over twenty years in the general vicinity of Barre, Montpelier, Plainfield, and Calais. Most of the time was spent boarding with various farm families, though he did open a studio and school in Montpelier for a time.

At some point in the late 1880s or early 1890s he joined the Church of Christian Scientists and became acquainted with church found Mary Baker Eddy. He ultimately sold all of his works and the contents of his studio, some say in reaction to a lost love, and moved back to Massachusetts. He famously illustrated a poem entitled "Christ and Christmas" by Eddy.

The last decade of his life was spent in Athol, MA were he lived on the edge of poverty.

Baseball Bat

Miniature wooden baseball bat printed at one end with logos for the Mountaineers and the Times Argus. The bat is round and narrows toward one end. The Mountaineers' logo consists of an animal wearing hiking accessories stepping onto a double peaked mountain above the word, "MOUNTAINEERS". The Times Argus logo consists of the company name with the Vermont State House dome between the two words. The words "Presenting Sponsor" is above the State House dome.

2021.17.1

The Vermont Mountaineers is a collegiate summer baseball team based in Montpelier, Vermont

Baseball Mitt

Leather baseball mitt. The mitt is padded on the palm side and left open on the back, securing at the wrist with a buttoned strap. The outer fabric and the lining are whipstitched together at the opening.

2006.28.3

Used by William "Dig" Rowley as pitcher for the Richford Rabbits, Richford, Vermont

Basin Harbor

Landscape image of dirt lane, trees, water and a mountain backdrop. A child is depicted in the foreground with a fishing pole and brace of fish. A small, white building with brown roof is in the middle ground. A small dory or other such watercraft is in front of the building. A large steam-powered vessel sits on blocks, partially obscured by the building. The boat has a fairly large hull with red and white paint. A small pilot house sits forward of a steam engine and black funnel. A wooden, hand-operated winch or windlass is located on the ground near the bow of the steamboat. The painting is signed in the lower left by artist Custer Ingham. Painted on board, the back of the work has the artist's name in pencil as well as the date 1916.

2023.7.1

Born during the Civil War and named for General George Armstrong Custer, Ingham began in the 1880s to paint scenes of daily life in the Champlain Valley, including Lake Champlain’s Westport Sail Ferry, a baseball game on the banks of Otter Creek, and the family farm. The falls and the basin below on Otter Creek were favorite topics.

Early in his career, Ingham studied at the National Academy of Design in New York for two years; later, a brief visit to Europe in 1914 was cut short by the outbreak of World War I. Although he chose a realist approach, many of Ingham’s works demonstrate his interest in experimenting with the artistic movements of his era, evoking the trompe l’oeil paintings of William Harnett, landscapes of the Barbizon and Hudson River schools, and the colors and atmospheric effects of the Impressionists.

Basket

Vasiform ash splint basket, with radial start, intact bail, and rim affixed with clinched nails. Marked "Daisey."

L2024.3.60

Occasionally the Sweetsers made exquisite small, vase-shaped baskets. This one found in Essex Junction, Vermont, was made with extraordinary precision in the splints, the weaving, and the distinctive clinched nail rim, and can be considered a piece of Art.

Basket

Round basket with lid. Woven of black ash splints. Both basket and lid are decorated with three horizontal bands of twisted splints. Lid has small, integral bail.

L2024.3.100a-b

Basket

Round basket and lid woven from split and plaited sweetgrass. The Lid is woven in alternating sections of black-dyed weavers and plaited sweetgrass with six splint loops at the center. The basket is made of black-dyed splint weavers at the bottom and plaited sweetgrass at the top.

2004.18.1a-b

Owned by the Martin or Johnson families of Plainfield, Vermont

Basket

Round basket, daub dyed blue, radial start and thin weavers

L2024.3.99

This basket style is much more common in Maine, while the more westerly examples tend to have square bottoms formed by the rectilinear pattern of the weavers. It may be an import from further east but is good for comparative purposes.

Basket

Square basket woven of ash splints with varying width weavers. Select splints are dyed on the exterior surface blue or red.

L2024.3.74

This large utility basket from the Northeast Kingdom has varying width weavers; with some of them “daub-dyed” with Prussian blue and red ochre. You can see that the dye only appears on the outside faces of the splints. Although the color is similar to the much more common round “Penobscot” radial-start baskets, their construction technique, based on a checkerboard start is regionally distinctive.

Basket

Round, open-work, ash splint basket with attached ash handles. Radial start with bound rim. Mostly narrow natural splints with two wide bands near rim. Bands dyed yellow and blue.

L2024.3.103

This early open work basket from Morrisville, VT with the two loop handles was produced in prodigious quantities if surviving examples are any indication. This one is illustrated because it not only has the usual Prussian blue daub- dye but applied red [don't see red in photo] and a rare yellow pigment as well.

Basket

Round woven basket and lid constructed of ash splints and sweetgrass.

L2024.3.91a-b

This little ash splint and sweetgrass “fancy basket,” along with L2024.3.92a-b, are very important because they were sold to Mrs. Waterman of Johnson, Vermont in the 1920’s or early 30’s by "Gypsies" who camped on a farm to the west of town. Almost all ash and sweetgrass fancy baskets lack such documentation and could have been made anywhere and brought back to Vermont as souvenirs. There are interesting interview notes on what the people of Johnson thought of the "Gypsies" at the time.

Basket

Open-work, ash splint basket. Varying width splints alternating blue dyed and natural. Square base with round top. Slightly Vasiform.

L2024.3.105

This basket is the archetype of the late 1800’s Vermont Abenaki basket. It is classed as an “open work basket,” and is the most commonly found basket with good Vermont Native provenance, although this one’s origin is a bit less secure. Although it is now missing the two loop handles, the rest of it is in great shape. One thing that is interesting is that the dye is not just on the outside, like other work baskets such as L2024.3.103, but it also stains the inside of the splints, as can be seen in the illustration. One of the defining separations between 19th and 20th century baskets is the fact that 20th century splints were submerged in the dye which stains both sides. This may be a transitional basket using a dark, non-fugitive pigment like earlier baskets, while dipping rather than daubing on the dye -- like later basketry examples.

Basket

Round basket with square base woven of ash splints. Select splints are dyed on the outer surface either blue or red.

L2024.3.75

This small utility basket from central New Hampshire has varying width weavers with select splints “daub-dyed,” dyed on one surface only, with Prussian blue and red ochre. These small baskets are uncommon.

Basket

Ash splint basket made in the Sweetser style. Round form with bound rim and bent-wood bail.

L2024.3.61

Newt Washburn tourist basket

Basket

Small, round, lidded trinket basket woven of sweetgrass and ash splints. Band of decorative, twisted splints around midline of basket.

L2024.3.92a-b

This little ash splint and sweetgrass “fancy basket,” along with L2024.3.91a-b, is very important because they were sold to Mrs. Waterman of Johnson, Vermont in the 1920’s or early 30’s by "Gypsies" who camped on a farm to the west of town. Almost all ash and sweetgrass fancy baskets lack such documentation and could have been made anywhere and brought back to Vermont as souvenirs. There are interesting interview notes on what the people of Johnson thought of the "Gypsies" at the time.

Basket

Green splint basket with curlicues and sweetgrass edging. One row of curlicues on the lid and one on the side of the basket. The weavers are narrow, 1/16" wide, except for row with curlicue. The rim of the basket is banded on the outside by dark green splint and on the inside by natural color splint and wound with green (no breaks). The lid is banded on the outside with sweetgrass and the inside by green splint and wound with green splint (no breaks).

2011.9.1a-b

Owned by Cora C. Calderari

Basket

Incomplete strawberry basket with mold

L2024.3.73a-b

Wiseman comments: This was purchased from an antique dealer, who I trust, bought it from a yard sale in Barnstead, NH. No more is known of the provenance. The red basket preform is an obvious incomplete “strawberry” basket sill tightly clinging to its softwood mold. It was an important purchase in that there are scores of these in-progress baskets on their mold from better known Haudenosaunee and Wabanaki basket making areas, and this one was at least in the American Abenaki area for a long time.

Basket

Open-work, ash splint basket. Square base and round rim.

L2024.3.106

Wiseman comments: This is a questionable find that I am adding to the mix because of the associated oral history. They are one of the more common types of baskets found in new England despite their terrible fragility. I had learned long ago, when I began antiques collecting, that these were “cheese baskets,” often made in prodigious numbers by the Shakers. Ever since, I ignored them completely even though the rims looked identical to Native New England baskets. In 1999, Billie Largy, a Nulhegan elder told me that these were herb drying baskets, and five years (I think) later at the “Antiques Collaborative” group in Quechee, I found another that was sold as an Abenaki Herb basket from Vermont. I personally could not tell it from a cheese basket, but it was not expensive, so I bought it to reinforce Billie’s historical narrative. I later got in touch with the dealer, who I learned, seemed quite familiar with the Abenaki Basketmakers in the area and said that this was made by the “Bernard” family of Basketmakers in Windham County. I know that the Bernards are indigenous in NW Vermont and in Quebec, so the story seemed plausible. I got in touch with Billie and she told me that the basket was used to dry raspberry leaves and other herbs (didn’t write them down) to make tea. So this is an interesting little basket that was made and used along a totally different trajectory than the mainstream cheese versions.

Basket Gauge

Wooden hand-tool with carved shoulders and teeth.

L2024.3.149

This white pine basket gauge is from a Troy, Vermont family of Indian basket makers, almost certainly Abenaki, although this was not stipulated by the seller. It is almost identical in construction to Odanak and Penobscot gauges in the collection.

Basket Mold

Softwood basket mold

L2024.3.120

Basketball

Orange-brown basketball with traditional black lines and numerous inscriptions. From top around the inscriptions read, "Presented to Daryl Wetzel / MacGregor (r) / for 1,000 POINTS / OFFICIAL (within circle) LAST BILT / 1/31/'78 / at Austine vs Whitingham / X10 L / MOISTEN NEEDLE INFLATE TO 9 LBS. USA"

2024.16.21

Daryl Wetzel was a 1979 graduate of the Austine School for the Deaf in Brattleboro, Vermont, and was presented this ball for his winning of the 1,000 points in his junior year in Spring 1978. He continued to play ay Gallaudet University and enjoyed a career with the AAAD (American Athletic Association for the Deaf) and with the USADB (United States American Deaf Basketball). In 2003 Wetzel was inducted as the first ever deaf male player in the New England Basketball Hall of Fame (R.I.).

Basketball Uniform

Green and white basketball uniform. The green tank top (a) has two white stripes down each side of the jersey and "Austine" in stylized lettering in an arc across the chest. The number "12" is stitched below the school name in white block numbers. A larger number 12 is stitched in white on the back.

The shorts (b) are the same shade of green as the top with a jersey waistband and matching pair of white vertical strips down the sides of the legs.

Daryl Wetzel wore the number 12 jersey throughout his basketball career at Austine, including when he earned his place in the 1,000 points club in January of 1978 during his junior year.

2024.16.53a-b

Austine School for the Deaf Brattleboro, VT
12 was the number of Daryl Wetzel who was a graduate of the Austine School for the Deaf in 1979 was inducted into the 1,000 points club in his junior year in Spring, 1978. (see photo in archives) He continued to play ay Gallaudet University and enjoyed a career with the AAAD (American Athletic Association for the Deaf) and with the USADB (United States American Deaf Basketball). In 2003 Wetzel was inducted as the first ever deaf male player in the New England Basketball Hall of Fame (R.I.).

Basswood Fiber String

Fine string made from basswood bark wound over a pasteboard tube

L2024.3.78

Basswood Fiber String

Large bundle of string made from basswood bark

L2024.3.80

Basswood Fiber String

Fine string made from basswood bark. Wound over a bark strip.

L2024.3.79

Basswood Fiber Twine

Double-strand twine or heavy string made from basswood bark.

L2024.3.81

Basswood Fiber Twine

Twine made from basswood bark - untreated

L2024.3.82

Made as a student project at Johnson State College

Beaded Bag

Black, velvet bad with cord strap. Decorated with blue, purple, and brown beads in floral forms.

L2024.3.128

Possibly Kahnawake or Abenaki

Beaded Bag

Black velvet bag with predominantly blue beaded design. Three-leaf flowers, thistles, and tiered flower. Red binding ribbon, mostly worn away.

L2024.3.126

Probably produced for the tourist trade.

Beaded Boot Pillow

Beaded boot in the Niagara style

L2024.3.95

Beaded Crown

Niagara-style "Princess Crown." Brown fabric with buff tape. Beaded central flower/star flanked by stems and leaves.

L2024.3.141

This Niagara-style beaded “princess crown” labeled “Central NH,” on the tag, was produced in large quantities as costume for the Degree of Pocahontas woman’s social organization. However, we also have photos of them worn by Wabanaki women as well. The main evidence for Native use is its condition. Every piece of Degree of Pocahontas costuming I have seen is in pristine condition, except when later used as Halloween costuming, which rapidly detaches the bead-work. This example shows continual, not episodic use wear consistent with years of careful use.

Beaded Glengarry Cap

The cap is in excellent shape, made of black velvet with a dark tan polished cotton lining and beaded with a mix of opaque and transparent clear and colored 11/0 beads. It has a damaged golden eagle feather pendant on the back. The design focus is a large six-pointed polychrome design intermediate between a flower and star with a central sequin. It is flanked by pinnate designs, with beaded and metallic sequin space fillers. Sequins are usually a good indicator of pre-20th century use. Gold ricrac and braided cotton tape edge trim completed the decorative design of the hat.

L2024.3.124

Though apparently handed down in an Abenaki family, this item was thought to be an Iroquoian object. Upon further research into beadwork, Wiseman feels that it fits better into the Natural Style than the “Late Niagara.” This may indeed be Abenaki rather than Iroquois.

Beaded Pouch

Beaded pouch with flower and thistle design. Yellow, looped bead-work fringes the edges of the bag.

L2024.3.143

This pouch exhibits three of the most diagnostic bead-work style motifs, very similar to two moccasin fragments with a Waterville, Vermont provenance.

Beaded Whimsey

Six-pointed star, beaded ornament. Glass beads of red, white, blue, and green. Designs include leaves at the point of each star, a Central dove holding an olive branch, the number 1900, and two American flags.

L2024.3.94

Beaded in the Niagara style

Beer Can

Promotional beer can with a round logo on one side and an illustration of a man (Bernie Sanders) on the other. The logo is blue on the top and red on the bottom with the words, "Bernie / Weisse", and the date 2016. There is a black bird in the center and the inscription, "A slight sour and forward-thinking Berliner Weisse", at the bottom. The words "ZERO GRAVITY" are in a blue band at the top. The reverse is printed with an illustration of a man leaning against a barrel and holding up a beer glass. He has spiky, white hair, and is wearing a plaid shirt and suspenders. The bottom of the can is printed with the words, "FREEDOM AND UNITY" in place of the expiration date.

2021.37.1

Made by Zero Gravity Craft Brewery in Burlington, Vermont, to support Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign.

Bell

Small bell on leather strap with buckle. Bell says "Ring for Coolidge". Bell is brass colored, strap is medium brown color.

1976.17.8

Produced for the presidential campaign of Calvin Coolidge of Plymouth, Vermont

Bell

Small metal bell with a ship's wheel as a handle. The handle consists of a red-stained wooden disc with a hole in the center, and five turned handles spaced equidistant around the edges.

2020.22.34

Made by Newton & Thompson Manufacturing Company in Brandon, VT

Bell, School

School bell from Braintree Hill School, Braintree, Vt. Wooden handle. Iron clapper attached to bell with chain. Bell is brass. Handle is 5" tall with decorative bands around it.

1976.16.9

Belt

Black leather with a gold and black striped fabric on one side with a brass buckle and a brass hook hanging from belt, with matching straps hanging from each side of belt.

2007.59.1.3

Belt Buckle

Belt buckle consisting of a round central medallion and rectangular side loops. The medallion is bordered with a laurel wreath and shows an eagle sitting on top of a horizontal anchor. The back is inked with the inscription, "MOBILE BAY AUG. 5TH 1864".

1921.10.5a-b

Worn by Charles E. Clark of Bradford, Vermont, during the Civil War.

Bennington Battle Moument

Colored lithographic print showing the Bennington Battle monument, which is a large, gray obelisk with a series of five long, vertical windows in the center in a series of two rows the upper being longer than the lower and each row capping with a protruding gray ledge. There are several groupings of people on the ground beneath the monument, their shadows reaching towards the central structure. They are shown in fields and amongst trees as if in a park with light greenish-blue mountains in the background and a light blue sky with layers of fluffy grayish, yellowish clouds evaporating into a golden mist over the mountains. The print itself is a portrait-based image with a round top. Filling in the upper corners of the general print is a continuation of the light yellow, linear border into two delicate double and mirrored curling vine designs. Underneath the image but inside of the light, yellow, linear border in very small, black single-stroke lettering from left to right, "PUBLISHED BY WELLS & COVERLY, TROY, N.Y. COPYRIGHT 1891. BURLEIGH LITHO EST TROY, N.Y."
Under the print is the title, "BENNINGTON BATTLE MONUMENT" in empty serifed lettering delineated by stylistic, black outlining, an advertisement for a clothing store in Troy, New York, and details about the monument. Bearing inscriptions, "PUBLISHED BY," in small serifed lettering, "WELLS & COVERLY," in much larger, thin serifed lettering. Underneath in thick, dark, simplistic lettering, "The People's Popular CLOTHIERS," and below that in very thin and smaller, mono linear writing, "336-338 RIVER ST.,/13-15-17 FOURTH ST.," to the left in taller, darker, serifed lettering, "TROY, N.Y."
On either side of the main body are smaller paragraphs of inscriptions:
On the left in italicized, semi-cursive, serifed lettering, "Bennington Battle Monument Associa-/tion chartered 1853./Corner stone laid Aug. 16, '87/Cap stone placed Nov. 25th, '89/Dedicated Aug. 19, '91."
On the right side in taller, typewriter style, squarish lettering, "DIMENSIONS." Underneath in the same small, italicized, semi-cursive, serifed writing, "Base 37 ft. square./Height 301 feet." Again in taller typewriter style lettering, "COST." Undenerth in the same italicized, "Monument and grounds 117,000./Designed by J. Ph. Sinm, Boston."

2006.69.8

Planning started for a monument to the American Revolution victory at the Battle of Bennington in the 1850s. Local officials and philanthropists hoped for the structure to be completed for the 100th anniversary of the victory in 1877. Design changes, funding difficulties, and construction delays led to a dedication in 1891, the centennial of Vermont statehood. The monument anchors the colonial neighborhood of Old Bennington in Vermont's Southwest corner. The monument, originally built and maintained by the Bennington Historical Association (now Bennington Museum), is now a state historic site.

Bentwood Box

Painted bentwood box with lid. Stitched and pegged. Lid shows evidence of painted double-scroll design, mostly worn away.

L2024.3.87a-b

This box is an important piece of the period and shows diagnostic Northeastern Native sewn and pegged construction. It had a painted lid with double scroll design at one point, but the design is almost completely obliterated.

Bentwood Box

Round, bentwood Box with lid. Basswood sides and pine pine bottom. Lid has ash splint sides and white pine top. Sides of both box and lid sewn with wood splints and pegged to top/bottom.

L2024.3.114a-b

This large bent wood box from southern Quebec in Nulhegan Tribal Territory, is constructed from one of the widest splints taken from a tree that I have ever seen. It looks so much like an early 20th century cheese box that it sat on an antique dealer’s shelf for many months. It is beautifully made, and it seems to be of relatively recent make due to the absence of significant oxidation on the outside of the splint.

Bentwood Box

Painted bentwood box with lid. Lid top made of tulip poplar and box bottom made of pine, sides of basswood with splint stitching. a. box b. lid

L2024.3.88a-b

This is an exquisite, black-stained splint box. It is entirely standard in form and material, except for the lid top which is made from a piece of commercially surfaced tulip (Liriodendon tulipifera) wood. The basswood sides are carefully cut down to a standard thickness with numerous strokes of the crooked knife (visible in the image to the right) rather than the cabinet scraper of the Euroamerican craftsman. The top panel must have been crafted from a piece of planed wood destined for a piece of regional furniture. Also tulip reaches its northern limits in Vermont, so it an uncommon wood anyway. An interesting example.

Berry Basket

Folded birchbark basket with bent-wood handle and basswood binding

L2024.3.89

This is an example of the common expedient berry basket that figures in oral histories about making a quick basket in the woods after discovering a patch of blueberries or blackberries. The bark is thin, and not removed “down to the cambium,” so it was just torn off, the basswood lacings can be collected quickly, and do not need processing as does spruce root used for permanent containers, and the split sapling bail handle is a short whittle. Unfortunately these baskets are very fragile and few survive.

Birch Bark Picture Frame

Heart-shaped, birch bark object with square void in the middle. Two layers of birch bark stitched together with wood splint binding.

L2024.3.117

This piece of tourist art is probably a minor art form from the Highgate Springs Indian basket camps three miles to the south in the USA, since it employs both ash splint sewing and sweetgrass borders. The idea is that a photograph can be slid between the bark front and back and show in the ash and sweetgrass rimed window. It is one of the few examples of birchbark work that shows the white outside of the bark, probably catering to the tourists’ need to have something “woodsy” hanging on the wall.

Birchbark Box

Large, round birchbark box etched/inscribed with double scroll motif on lid and rectilinear motif on body.

L2024.3.83a-b

This large etched birch bark box from the east side of Lake Memphremagog has beautiful “double scroll” designs on the lid, a rarity in the American Abenaki area. Although the size and manufacture is similar to the much more common mid-Maine “Penobscot” bark boxes, its construction technique is more delicate and regionally distinctive.

Birchbark Canoe

Birch bark canoe. The canoe is curved with a flat base and tapers into points on either end. The exterior is a natural brownish red with slightly darker central section. A single band of bright red runs just below the gunwales. The entirety of the opening’s edges are lined with an additional thin piece of wood. Three wooden thwarts span across the inside of the canoe. The exterior is supported by curved wooden ribs.

L2024.3.187

It is a southern Quebec piece, from the Lake Memphremagog Basin area in the Nulhegan Tribal homeland. It is large and totally native in all aspects.

Birchbark Doll

Birchbark doll

L2024.3.56

For the tourist trade

Birchbark Panel

Incised birchbark Panel with symbol of Wabanaki Confederacy

L2024.3.102

This panel was created for Fred Wiseman as the cover art for his 2005 publication "Reclaiming the Ancestors."

Black and Red Bugle Bead

Black and Red Bugle style bead

L2024.3.200

Blanket Chest

Grain painted, three-drawer blanket chest. Appears to have five drawers, the top two are false and disguise a lift-top chest. Appears to be of mostly pine with joined construction. Drawer rails are nailed, but may have been added later. The chest shows evidence of bracket feet, now missing. The drawer fronts and sides are grain-painted to look like book-matched veneer. The remaining surfaces, save the back, are sponge painted in the same brown and yellow coloration. The drawers all show evidence of two-pin pulls, later replaced with the wooden knobs. Under the lid, there are small areas of surface that have plain red paint. The holes for the original pulls have been filled and the grain painting applied over. It's probable that the piece was originally plain red and later modified with the wooden pulls and elaborate grain painting.

1988.6.1

According to family history, this chest was brought to Calais, Vermont, by Abijah Wheelock in 1789. One of the earliest European families to settle in this area, objects associated with the Wheelocks held a certain colonial allure. It's evident that this chest went through a fair amount of modification. It was probably painted plain red, sported bracket feet, and simple brass pulls. At some time the feet were removed or broke off. The spectacular grain painting was added at a later date, perhaps as early as the 1820s. Vermont had a great tradition of grain painting - transforming plain furniture forms of soft woods into something akin to high style mahogany, curly maple, or figured fruit wood examples from prosperous cities.

Blender

Metal and glass jar hand-crank blender. The colorless glass jar is pressed "Kerr" into the mold and has straight sides. The twist-on metal lid has a hand-crank egg beater inserted into the center, with a handle and crank above the lid and the paired egg beaters sitting inside the jar. There is a half-circle column of metal attached to the top of the lid as well behind the crank handle. The mixer is stamped patented Feb. 9, 1904.

1986.25.1a-b

Blotter

Desk blotter with figure of 3 monkeys glued to top layer. 3 monkeys represent "Speak no evil, see no evil, hear no evil" The first wears a coat of red, the second a coat of green, and the third a coat of blue. Coats are visible only from back. Blotter pad on which they rest is made up of 4 7-sided layers, the bottom being a green blotter which is mostly torn away; the next two layers are blue and red felt, and the top layer is leather, which has a scroll design around border and printed in ink in center: "Don't Monkey/ With Anything/ on This Desk" The layers are pinked around the edges and are stapled together, with the staple being out of sight under the monkeys.

2004.72.17

Blue Translucent Bead

Blue translucent bead

L2024.3.202

Bobbin

Wooden bobbin from a spinning wheel. The body of the bobbin is a piece of straight metal, with a wooden outside spanning most of the length, and leaving the ends of the metal exposed. Attached near the base of the wood are two wooden circles, both chipped. A third circle is further up on the handle, and above it is an arch shape formed by two pieces of joined wood. The arch has several metal hooks attached to either side. The body of the bobbin has a two lengths of linen thread wrapped around it, one in the middle, and one above the section where the arch is joined.

1955.8.1b

Bobbin

Wooden bobbin. The bobbin is turned, meaning the wood has been shaped with a lathe. There is a wooden semi-domed shape on either end, and the middle is wound with linen thread.

1962.35a-c

The thread was raised and processed in Duxbury, Vermont.

Bolton Falls, Winooski

Landscape. View from top of Falls, rocket stream bed, water rushing from lower left to frothy area center foreground. Calm stream/river center middle ground. Trees and rocks left and right edge. Camel's Hump in background.

VHS-A-259

James Franklin Gilman was born in 1850 in Woburn, Massachusetts to John and Elizabeth Gilman. His father was a cordwainer and his mother a seamstress. Early census records indicate his mother was born in Vermont. Little is known of his early life or education.

By the late 1860s he evidently made his living as an itinerant artist, often depicting the farm landscape and/or portraits of those providing him with room and board. Works remain of farms and people in Chelmsford, Groton, and Billerica, MA.

In 1872 he arrived in Barre, Vermont, a tall man with red hair and a distinctive red beard. He spent over twenty years in the general vicinity of Barre, Montpelier, Plainfield, and Calais. Most of the time was spent boarding with various farm families, though he did open a studio and school in Montpelier for a time.

At some point in the late 1880s he joined the Church of Christian Scientists and became acquainted with church founder Mary Baker Eddy. From 1889 to 1891 he boarded at the Perrin farm in Berlin. He supposedly fell in love with Mary Perrin, a daughter in the household. Her father decline to let the couple married due to Gilman's occupation as an itinerant painter and his newfound religion. His diary indicates this composition was made during a trip he and Mary took to Bolton.

He ultimately sold all of his works and the contents of his studio, some say in reaction to this lost love, and moved back to Massachusetts in 1891. He famously illustrated a poem entitled "Christ and Christmas" by Eddy.

The last decade of his life was spent in Athol, MA were he lived on the edge of poverty, passing away in 1929. Mary Perrin remained on the family farm, never married and died at the age of 72 in 1932.

Book

Hardcover book. The cardboard cover of the book has a young woman holding a fawn in her arms staring over her right shoulder set on a yellowish-green background. The title of the book, “SEQUOIA,” is printed in blocky type and the subheading, “THE STORY OF A STRANGE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A / MOUNTAIN LION / AND A DEER,” in small black text. The black text on the side reads, “Thrilling / Wild Amimal / Adventures.” Below, a reddish-orange band bracketed by two black bands has text that reads “READ THE BOOK / SEE THE PICTURE” in the two black bands and “A Metro / Goldwyn-Mayer / PICTURE” in the orange band. In the left corner, a black filled circle has the words “THE / BIG LITTLE / BOOK” in white print. The back cover is an image of a mountain lion and a deer in a rocky landscape. 156 pages.

2003.12.16

Bootjack

Wooden boot jack consisting of a board with rounded ends. One end of the board has a small, round hole, presumably for hanging, while the other has a very large round hole. A smaller block of wood is secured near the large hole.

1960.94.1

Likely used by the George family in East Calais, Vermont

Boots

Brown leather hiking boots with rubber soles. The boots reach above the wearer's ankle and lace up the center front over a fully attached tongue.

1977.28a-b

Owned by Robert Hagerman in Morrisville, Vermont

Bottle

Square green glass bottle with molded designs and a paper label. The sides are each molded with a different design: three stars and the dates 1776-1976, an adaptation of the Vermont state seal, and an outline of a maple leaf. The fourth side is molded with four stars and has a paper label explaining the bottle in green text.

1977.49

Made of recycled Heineken bottles by Vermont Glass House, Inc, in Cabot, VT, 1976.

Bottle

Green glass wine bottle with gold foil on the neck. The bottle has a paper label showing a winter sugaring scene with the label "Vermont Wineries / Vermont State Maple Wine" in large green and gold lettering. The bottom of the label reads, "Chill Before Serving / MADE AND BOTTLED BY / VERMONT WINERIES, INC. / DANBY, VERMONT 05739 / ALCOHOL 12% BY VOLUME" in dark green lettering. The base of the bottle is stamped from the mold, "4/5 QUART" four times around the bottom edge.

1976.48.3

Made by Vermont Wineries, Inc. in Danby, Vermont

Bottle

Clear glass drink bottle with the molded inscription, "Wm. MILLER/ MONTPELIER/VT."

1981.10.2

William Miller bottled beer and "panther breath" during Prohibition.

Bottle

Small, clear glass bottle with cork stopper and paper label. The label reads, "Extract/Vanilla/For Ice Cream, Puddings, Pastry &c./Warranted PUre/Prepared by Burlington Drug Co. Wholesale Druggists Burlington, Vermont."

1986.28.1

Made by Burlington Drug Company in Burlington, Vermont

Bottle

Soda bottle, clear glass with a gold metal screw top. Label features a "juke box" at the left. Colors are teal, coral, yellow, black and white. Juke box has a central name plate "CHELSEA ROYAL DINER". To the right is: "CHELSEA/ROYAL/DINER/ Rt. 9, West Brattleboro, Vt./802-254-8399/ Open Daily 6 a.m. til 9 p.m./ Old Fashioned/ BLACK CHERRY" Nutritional label to the right also "INGREDIENTS", VT 5c 12FL OZ/ 355ML. Distr. by PRIVATE LABEL BEVERAGE/KEENE, NH 03431"
clear

1997.31

Bottle

Unused wine bottle. 4" x 9" double sided, color flyer is in VHS Library- copy of flyer is with worksheet. Small Bside / Fruit / 2003
Wine bottle made of green glass- label is white with a stylized snowflake central that is superimposed over the profile of the state of VT. Each "arm" of the snowflake is an amimal shape. Below snowflake reads: "SNOW FARM WINERY / Vermont Reisling - (lower left corner)- Grown, produced and bottled/ by Snow Farm Winery, LLC/ South Hero, Vermont. (lower right corner) Table Wine/ Contains sulfites/ 750 milliters" Along edge is the wording from the "Government Warning...." Small oval label over main label reads: "2002"

2003.50

Bottle

Glass soda bottle. Reads on face: "GOLDEN DOME/ DeRond's/GOLDEN DOME/ BEVERAGES." On back: (in cursive) "Golden/Dome"/BOTLED BY/DERONDE & CO./ MONTPELIER, VERMONT/ CONTENTS 7 FL. OZ."
clear with green printing

1995.19

Bottle

Small brown bottle with black screw top. Label is off white with black lettering and golden brown details. It reads in part: "Green Mountain/Flavors/PURE/ VANILLA/ EXTRACT/ NET 2 oz./59ml" and at the side: "Within the Green Mountains of Vermont, we have created the finest all natural gourmet flavors available....Green Mountain Flavors/ Chester, VT 05143" and "INGREDIENTS: Vermont Spring Water, Grain Alcohol (37%), Vegetable Glycerine, Vanilla Bean Extractives..."
brown glass

1997.45

Bottle

A "longneck" soda bottle from Pepsi. One side panel reads: "1996 NY-PENN/LEAGUE/VERMONT/Expos/CHAMPIONS" Stamped with "REFUND 5c CT-NY/MA-VT-ME-DE" Blue ink near "shoulder" of bottle "MAR 09 (blurred)/ 1001BV60497"
clear with red/white/blue

1998.7

Bottle

White plastic water bottle with a green and black spouted lid. The lid is molded with the label, "California Springs Duo Flow Made in U.S.A." Imprinted in black around top section of the bottle is a row of silhouettes of people on bicycles and the label, "www.vtbikeped.org". Imprinted below on one side is an image of bicycle and a cyclist against a mountain backdrop labeled "Founded 1993", with the words, "VERMONT BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COALITION Human Powered", printed around it in a circle. The other side of the bottle is printed with the words, "VERMONT BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COALITION Your voice for better bicycling and walking in Vermont."

2003.39.1

Bottle

Pale green glass bottle. The rectangular-shaped bottle has straight sides and a wider front and back than sides. The bottle has a shallow shoulder and tall, cylindrical neck with a cork stopper in the top. The stained white label on the front reads, "CONCENTRATED / EXTRACT / VANILLA / for Flavoring SAUCES, / JELLIES, CUSTARDS, &C / PREPARED BY / HENRY & JOHNSON / BURLINGTON, VT" in brown lettering around an image of a green Vanilla leaf frond and brown Vanilla pods hanging around it.

1992.71.1

Bottle

A brown soda bottle with a bright colorful label and a gold colored twist off cap. The paper label reads: "CHELSEA/ ROYAL/ DINER/ Rt. 9 West Brattleboro, Vt./ 802-254-8399/ Open Daily 6 a.m. til 9 p.m./ Old Fashioned/ ROOTBEER" To the left of the writing is a stylized juke box with diners name across its front. Colors are bright bubble gum pink, bright turquoise blue and bright yellow. Nutrition facts, ingredients, labeling info. and returnable stamp are all to the right of the text. A raised " _6_ " is stamped on the bottom of the bottle.

1999.22.1

Bottle

Clear glass half-pint bottle. The bottle is press molded with a slender neck and slightly wider cylindrical body. The mold contained raised letters that read, "CONTENTS / HALF PINT / 100% / VERMONT / MAPLE SYRUP / FROM / VERMONT TREES" on one side and "FOR / MAPLE SYRUP / ONLY / PACKED BY / VERMONT / MAPLE COOP. / INC. / BURLINGTON, VT." on the other side. There is a maker's mark on the bottom showing an "E" with a "3" on each side enclosed in a circle.

1961.51

Bottle

Clear glass bottle with a white and red label showing a man with a long white bear and the words, "You'll love it! Frostie Old Fashion ROOT BEER".

1996.16.7

Made by Burk Mountain Soda Co. in West Burke, Vermont

Bottle

Straight-sided clear glass bottle with the molded inscription, "Crystal Spring Bottling Co. Barnet, VT."

1996.16.15

Made by the Crystal Spring Bottling Co. in Barnet, Vermont

Bottle

Clear glass bottle with the word, "CHAMPLAIN" printed twice on the neck, and a white, shield-shaped label with the red inscription, "Champlain Carbonated Beverages Burlington, VT."

1996.16.19

Made by Champlain Carbonated Beverages in Burlington, Vermont.

Bottle

Dried peas in a glass bottle. The bottle has a rounded body that flares out from a short neck that has been stopped by a cork. The peas are shades of pale green and brown.

1967.118.6

Found on the John Morrill Farm in Marsheifld, Vermont

Bottle

A "longneck" 12-oz. soda bottle from Pepsi. One side panel reads: "1996 NY-PENN/LEAGUE/VERMONT/Expos/CHAMPIONS" Stamped with "REFUND 5c CT-NY/MA-VT-ME-DE" Blue ink near "shoulder" of bottle "MAR 09 99( blurred)/ 1234BV060497"
clear with red/white/blue
same as 1998.7

2013.52.7

Bottle

Milk bottle with white plastic cap from Stafford Organic Creamery, Stafford, Vt.
a= White plastic cap with black and white label with logo (a milk delivery man with horse drawn milk wagon). Also address, "SKIM MILK", weight, and "Grade A". Label is partly obscured by a store "dairy" label.
b= 32 fl. oz. bottle has imprinted on one side in dark red lettering "STAFFORD ORGANIC CREAMERY at Rockbottom Farm, Stafford, Vermont 05072/ Grade A/ Certified Organic Milk/ from our cows,/ bottled on our farm/ in Strafford, Vermont./ 'Know Better Milk'" Below is seal of "Vermont Organic Certified", 32 fl. oz/ Plant # 50-28" and at bottom: "Wash & Return for Deposit"

2013.52.8a-b

Bottle

a= Clear glass wine bottle with brown/tan paper label. Front of label reads: "DUE NORTH/ Highland White/ 750 ml 2012 11% ALC/VOL." with a compass symbol in center. Printed on back is information re "Vermont Vineyard & Winery" with details concerning the wine flavoring. At bottom: "Produced and Bottled by:/ Due North Vineyard/ 129 Winery Drive, Franklin, VT 05457" Printed along side of label is government warning re sale in Vermont. Also attached is orange price sticker: "15.00"
b= Cork

2013.52.10a-b

Bottle

Bottle of cranberry sparkling water produced by Vermont Cranberry Company of E. Fairfield, VT and Boyden Valley Winery, Cambridge, VT, for 2003 Governor's Inaugural Ball. Unique paper label, printed by Creative Labels of Vermont, Inc., features an image of the state house in a circle at top, then "2003 Governor's Inaugural Ball/ January 11, 2003/ Governor James H. Douglas/ Norwich University/ Cranberry Sparkling Water" with logos for Vermont Cranberry Company on left side and Boyden Valley Winery on right side. Bottle is unopened and sealed with green plastic over top and neck.

2013.52.13

Bottle

Clear glass soda bottle. Both the body and neck of the bottle are labeled, "SEAL'S SPARKLING " with a logo of a seal balancing a soda bottle on its nose in front of mountain peaks.

2006.29.2

Made by Seal's Soda Company in Barre, Vermont

Bottle

Brown glass beer bottle with a metal cap. The bottle has two paper labels, one around the neck and one around the body. The lower label has an illustration of a mountain lion (catamount) with the title, "CATAMOUNT GOLD".

1987.6.1a

Distributed by Catamount Brewing Company in White River Junction, Vermont

Bottle

Glass cream bottle. Raised lettering reads "HALF PINT LIQUID / H.R. THOMPSON / MILK / & / CREAM / WINOOSKI, VT." on the front of the bottle, "REGISTERED" along bottom in front, and "SEALED B BX" along the bottom in the back. Three alternating rows of small raised dots decorate the neck of bottle.

2014.43.2

Bottle

Green glass soda bottle molded with the inscription, “H. J. DWINELL DWINELL'S NERVE TONIC MORRISVILLE VT."

2004.78.110

Bottle

Clear glass soda bottle molded with the inscription, “CRYSTAL SPRINGS BOTTLING CO. BARNET, VT." on one side and a shield-shaped paper label on the other side that reads, "Bottled by CRYSTAL SPRINGS BOTTLING CO. / GINGER ALE / "PURITY" TRADE MARK / BARNET, VT."

2004.78.125

Bottle

Brown beverage bottle with a metal cap and a paper label. The label is cinnamon color and identifies this as BENT HILL BREWERY of Braintree, VT. The flavor is MONTPELIER MOCHA CHOCOLATE COFFEE STOUT and indicates that is 1 pint 6 oz.. Another label, white and smaller has a bar code. The bottle is empty.

2014.52.3

Bottle

Small, dark green bottle with cardboard case. The bottle has a screw-on metal cap and a paper sticker label that reads, "Vermont Ice / VERMONT Dessert Wine". There is a gold circle at the center bottom of the label that reads, "Ice Wine 13% ALC-VOL 50 ML", in the center and, "PRODUCED AND BOTTLED BY BOYDEN VALLEY WINERY OF CAMBRIDGE VERMONT" around the edge. The cardboard tube is printed with the same label. There is a round metal cap that closes the top of the tube.

2014.52.8a-d

Made by Boyden Valley Winery in Cambridge, Vermont

Bottle

Brown glass beer bottle. There is a rectangular white label with smaller vertical rectangles forming interior borders for the text, which reads " LAWSON'S / FINEST LIQUIDS / DOUBLE SUNSHINE IPA / This American Double India Pale Ale / is packed with juicy tropical fruit / flavors and bright herbal aromas, / thanks to the abundance / of US-grown hops. / 8% alc./vol. / STRAIGHT FROM THE GREEN MOUNTAINS / TO YOUR HEAD / 1 PINT, 6. FL. OZ." in black. There are eight maple leaves, four on either side of the text. In the middle of the label is a intricate golden sun design.

2014.52.9

Bottle

Brown glass 22 fluid ounce bottle with a tan,red, and brown paper label. The label states: "CITIZEN CIDER/UNIFIED PRESS/VERMONT HARD CIDER/ 22 FL OZ (650 ML) ALC 6.8% BY VOL." One side of the label has a government warning. The other side of the label has a brief bio of the company, a list of the ingredients, and the address: CITIZEN CIDER, LLC/60 Laurette Drive, Essex, VT 05452.

2014.52.10

Bottle

Brown glass1 pint 6 oz. bottle with a white label indicating: "LAWSON'S FINEST LIQUIDS/CHINOOKER'D IPA". "Chock-full of Chinook hops, bursting with pine & grapefruit goodness, layered on a hearty base of pale ale, carapils, and caramunich malts. Watch out, you might get schnocker'd! 6.9% alc./vol." Down the left side of the label in a government warning. Dow the right side : "Hand bottled, unfiltered, unpasteurized, fresh local beer! VT deposit $0.05/Lawson's Finest Liquids, LLC, Warren, VT..."

2014.52.11

Bottle

Brown 12 fluid ounce glass bottle with a white and black label. The label states: "Hooker Mountain Farm, Cabot, Vermont/Rock Maple Root Beer/ preservative free fresh soda- keep cold." The label also lists the ingredients and "Made and bottled at Hooker Mountain Farm, 1193 Lovely Road, Cabot, Vermont/www.hookermountainfarm.com."

2014.52.12

Hooker Mountain farm is a diversified agriculture operation founded in 2008. The family produces meat, dairy, and vegetables as well as spirits crafted from grain grown on the property.

Bottle

12 fluid ounce brown glass bottle with a paper label stating: "Copper Ale/Otter Creek Brewing/ Handcrafted in Middlebury, Vermont/ Amber Ale." A smaller label around the neck of the bottle has the government warning and a brief bio of the brewery.

2014.52.13

Bottle

12 ounce brown glass bottle with a gray,red, and green label. The label states: " Naturally Gluten Free/LOCAL NECTAR/Made with 100% Vermont Apples/Hard Cider/6.9% ALC/VOL/12 oz.." There is a small logo on the label; Woodchuck Hard Cider/ Est. 1991".The label on the back has the government warning, the nutrition facts,and a short bio of WOODCHUCK CIDERY, Middlebury, VT.

2014.52.17

Bottle

Tall, dark green glass wine bottle with a cork. The label states Shelburne Vinyard Cayuga White Dry and "The Cayuga White grape is grown within 300 miles of our Vermont winery. Upon harvest in September, the grapes are rushed to us here in Shelburne where we process them to retain their balance of sugar and acidity..." The year is 2012.

2014.52.19

Shelburne Vineyard was founded in 1998 with its first planting. Over the years they acquired Iapetus wines and then merged with Eden Cider.

Bottle

Dark green glass bottle with a kick-up bottom and with a black label edged in copper colored foil. The label states: "eden SPARKLING CIDER-DRY-" The back label states:"Bottle-conditioned, naturally sparkling cider fermented in French oak puncheons. Made from a blend of traditional and heirloom apple varieties grown within 200 miles of our cidery..." The Eden Ice Cider Company is located in West Charleston, Vermont.

2014.52.20

Bottle

Tall brown glass hard cider bottle from Citizen Cider. See item 2014.52.10 for a similar bottle from the same company but with a different label. The label on this 22 oz. bottle states: WIT"S UP". This was crafted and bottled by Citizen Cider of Burlington, VT.

2014.52.21

Bottle

This tall 22 ounce brown glass bottle without a cap has a paper label stating: " Citizen Cider/ Vermont Hard Cider/The Flagship Cider/Unified Press/Cider for the People/Made by the People". Other parts of the label indicate that the product is naturally gluten-free, include the government warning, a list of the ingredients, a brief history of the company, and the company's address: Citizen Cider/ 316 Pine Street, Suite 114,Burlington, Vermont.

2014.52.23

Citizen Cider is a successful hard cider producer located in Burlington, Vermont.

Bottle

Pressed glass salad dressing bottle. The bottle has a classic curved shape with a tall neck and white plastic twist-on cap. The bottle has a blue printed label that reads, "Blanchard & Blanchard / Made in Vermont / Spa Dressing / RUSSIAN TOMATO" around an image of a red farmhouse peeking out from between green hills. The label also has information about the dressing contents and a nutritional label on the back.

1996.4.1

Blanchard & Blanchard salad dressing was made in Norwich, Vermont.

Bottle

Single "Otter Creek Copper Ale" beer bottle (with screw on cap) and a paperboard 6-pack holder. "CRAFT BREWED IN VERMONT" Paper label on brown glass bottle. Label has an oval (vertical) logo "OTTER CREEK BREWING FINE ALES MIDDLEBURY VERMONT" "-FOR A QUART OF ALE IS DISH FOR A KING" "BREWED WITH CLEAR VERMONT WATER. THE FINEST DOMESTIC MALTS & HOPS AVAILABLE. OUR OWN TOP-FERMENTING YEAST & NOTHING ELSE." Center in the logo is a streetscape/bridge of the brewing complex.

1994.47a-b

Bottle

Ceramic bottle in the shape of a man. The bottle has a mottled brown glaze. The man is shown wearing a long, full cloak, clutching it closed in the front. Above the closure he is holding a round mug. He is wearing a brimmed hat.

1959.23.13

Bottle Opener

Bottle opener from Zan's Purity Sodas in Barre, other side shows a nude woman standing in water. The bottle opener portion is at the feet.
Zan's Sodas Inc. are listed in the 1938 Barre Directory. "Zan's Sodas Inc., soda mfrs 4 Prospect pres-tres Charles Zanleoni Jr. see p 16" Also listed is "Zan's Beverage Corp./ beer and wine distributors 2 Prospect pres-tres Charles Zanleoni Jr. see p 16"

2001.18.2

Bottle Opener

Metal bottle opener. The bottle opener is shaped from one piece of metal, with the two ends meeting up at the base. The top is rounded and the handle, which is stamped "C.H. Eddy & Co. / Brattleboro, VT.", is slightly flared.

1976.40.1

Bottle Opener

Metal and wooden bottle opener. Inscribed "The Wilson / Second Class License / James A. Kelley / 187 Church Street / Burlington..."

1976.40.2

Bottle Opener

Metal bottle opener. The bottle opener is shaped from one piece of metal, with one end shaped into a rounded rectangular that then flares out into a handle, where the two ends of the metal meet. The handle is flattened, and is stamped with the label, "BARR'S BETTER BEVERAGES / HARDWICK, VT." on one side. The other side of the handle has two lines of arrow shapes facing inwards to the center of the handle.

1975.25.3

Made by Barr's Better Beverages in Hardwick, Vermont. Founded in 1909 by Ed Barr, and later operated by his son, Aguinaldo "Pop" until it closed in 1974, Barr's Better Beverages (Hardwick Bottling Works) was the first and last private bottler in Vermont.

Bottle tab

Tab for glass milk bottle lid. The tab is circular and white. On it is "X-tra-Rich / MILK / PASTEURIZED / JACKSON / dairy / PHONE / 390 / BARRE, VT" in black text. There is a geometric blue design filling the negative space next to the text. There is a staple in the lower quarter of the lid.

2011.37.13

Bottle tab

Tab for glass milk bottle lid. The tab is circular with a white background, a green geometric semicircle design and illustration of a barn on a hill. The text reads "MILK / PASTEURIZED / CLARIFIED / PHONE / GR 6-3521 / BARRE, VT. / jackson / DAIRY" inside the design. There is a staple at the base of the lid.

2011.37.14

Bottle tab

Tab for milk bottle lid. The tab is circular with a white background and red geometric line design. It reads "PASTEURIZED / heavy / cream / JACKSON'S / DAIRY" with the first three words in green and the last two in red. There is a staple at the tab base.

2011.37.15

Bottle tab

Tab for cream bottle lid. The tab is circular with a white background and a green and red geometric design along the edges. The text "CREAM / PASTEURIZED / LIGHT CREAM / jackson / DAIRY" is printed inside the design, with the first four words being green and the last two red. There is a staple at the base of the lid.

2011.37.16

Bottle tab

Tab for glass milk bottle lid. The tab is circular with a white background, a green geometric semicircle design and illustration of a barn on a hill. The text reads "MILK / PASTEURIZED / CLARIFIED / PHONE / GR 6-3521 / BARRE, VT. / jackson / DAIRY" inside the design. There is a staple at the base of the lid.

2011.37.18

Bottle tab

Milk bottle lid. Blue lettering states: "FOR A FRESHER COMPLEXION! drink 3 glasses MILK daily". There is a metal staple at the base of the tab.

2011.37.26

Bottle tab

Milk bottle lid with blue lettering that states: "SLEEP BETTER ! drink 3 glasses of MILK daily". A metal staple is at the base of the tab.

2011.37.27

Bottle tab

Milk bottle lid with blue lettering that states: " A GOOD HEALTH Habit! drink 3 glasses MILK daily". There is a metal staple at the base of the tab.

2011.37.28

Bottle tab

Milk bottle lid with blue lettering that states: "A GOOD HEALTH Habit! drink 3 glasses MILK daily". There is a staple at the base of the tab.

2011.37.29

Bottle tab

Tab for cream bottle lid. The tab is circular with a white background and a green and red geometric design along the edges. The text "CREAM / PASTEURIZED / LIGHT CREAM / jackson / DAIRY" is printed inside the design, with the first four words being green and the last two red. There is a staple at the base of the lid.

2011.37.17

Bottle, Food-storage

Dragonfly Sugar Works clear glass maple syrup bottle with a rubber and plastic stopper which is attached to a metal hinge for closure. Printed on a clear plastic label on front of bottle: "dragonfly (image of dragonfly) Sugar Works/ 100% PURE/ VERMONT/MAPLE/ SYRUP/
Huntington, Vermont/ 802.434.6502/ dragonflysugarworks.com" On back of bottle, near bottom, small round gold label imprinted: "Vermont/ Medium/ Amber" On bottom of bottle is "Italy 5 ?"

2013.52.6

Bottle, Food-storage

Maple syrup bottle a=bottle b=cap
a= Glass maple syrup bottle with handle on right side and paper label on front with sugar house scene, "Pure maple syrup" across top and "16.9 FL. oz. (500 ml)" across bottom.
On back at bottom, gold paper label with green lettering reads: "VERMONT MAPLE FESTIVAL, INC./ P.O. Box 255/ St. Albans, VT 05478"
b= White plastic screw-on cap has gold label with green lettering on top which reads: "Vermont Fancy Grade"

2013.52.31a-b

Bottle, Food-storage

Clear glass quart size milk bottle, square sides, round neck and lip. Blue lettering states: City View Farm/R.N. Tucker/ Barre, VT" on opposite sides of the bottle.

2011.37.5

Bottle, Food-storage

Clear glass Vermont maple syrup bottle with a small "jug" handle and a black plastic screw top. The front paper label is tan with the a sketch of a tapped maple tree and the words: "Land of Joseph/ Vermont Pure Maple Syrup/ Grade A Medium Amber/ 8 FL OZ (236 mL)". The back label includes nutrition facts, ingredients, and "Land of Joseph/ 1673 Dairy Hill Road/ South Royalton, VT 05068."

2014.52.22

In the 2010s a developer created a deli, sugar house, and gift shop near the Joseph Smith birthplace in Royalton. The tourist attraction name the "Land of Joseph" and constructed at a cost of over $1.3 million dollars soon closed when it came to light that the developer had not acquired the appropriate Act 250 permit and was repeatedly denied one after the fact.

Bow

Wooden, probably ash, bow with gut bowstring. Bow stave is rectangular with decorative groove and red painted stripes.

L2024.3.96

The heavily oxidized bow is made from ash (CHECK THIS), rectangular in cross section, with a decorative groove incised on the sides and red ochre painted stripes. Structurally, the bow is in perfect shape complete with its original gut bowstring. It is stylistically different than other known bows from the region, and the only indicator of age is the gut bowstring, which probably phased out of use in the early 19th century in favor of Euroamerican vegetal cord. It is the only known really old Native style bow found in Vermont.

Bow

Ash bow with bowstring through the bowstave

L2024.3.97

1890’s Southern Quebec “through the Bowstave” bow. This type of bow occasionally shows up in old lithographs and antique shops from Maine to Vermont. It is a strange arrangement, and it is unknown if it actually is more efficient than a regular recurved bow.

Bowl

Bowl fashioned from folded and stitched birchbark. The rim of the bowl is made from cut and bent wood and bound with spruce root.

L2024.3.68

This small, heavily oxidized bark bowl from southern Maine exhibits many early traits including the rectangular cut & shaved rim base and the careful spruce root wrapping that is almost all gone from years of hard use, evidence of native use rather than an early example of tourist art.

Bowl

Footed bowl printed in blue on one side with a scene of a city street line with commercial building. The image is labeled, "PORTLAND ST. MORRISVILL, VT." The interior rim of the cup is printed with a floral border. The bottom is marked "ADAMS SOUVENIR SERIES Made in England for A. R. Campbell. Morrisville, Vt."

2009.4.3a

Sold by A. R. Campbell in Morrisville, Vermont

Bowl

Large hand blown green glass bowl. The glass bowl has thick sides and wide rim, with a slight slant to one side. The heavy base is convex and arches upwards into the bowl.

2009.20.1

Made at the Champlain Glass Company in Burlington, Vermont.

Bowl

Birchbark bowl with geometric lines and zigzags

L2024.3.67

I have never seen a bark container from our area with the type of variable length spruce root rim lashing like this example. The advantage of this is said to not have all the lashing holes in the bark in a line, so that the bark will not separate along the weakened axis of the holes. I have only seen one or two bark containers separate this way, so I doubt that this is an important structural element but seems rather a decorative one. This casts a measure of doubt on the local origin of this artifact. However, given the fact that nobody has studied bark containers from the American Abenaki area, it is important to archive it for future researchers. The sawtooth etched design has affinities to the Cambridge basket, possibly supporting a local origin.

Bowl

Large earthenware mixing bowl with mottled brown glaze. The bowl is wider towards the top, and lip flares outward and curls downward to form a rim. The mark "Lyman Fenton and Co. / NAME PATENTED / 1849 / BENNINGTON, Vt." is stamped on the bottom in a circular mark.

1957.1.64

Made by Lyman, Fenton & Co. in Bennington, Vermont

Bowling Game

Boxed toy bowling game. The game consists of 10 wooden bowling pins with red heads, and a red wooden ball. The pins and ball fit into shaped cutouts within a cardboard inset in the cardboard box. The lid of the box is printed with an illustration of a bowling alley with a ball striking 5 pins and the inscription, "LUCKY STRIKE BOWLING GAME".

1981.37.1a-o

Made by George F. Adams & Co., Inc. in Moscow, Vermont

Box

Round birchbark box with incised "petroglyph" designs. Lid has rim reinforced with bent wood and spruce root sewing/binding.

L2024.3.65a-b

This small etched birch bark box from Lyme, New Hampshire has primitive “petroglyph” style designs on the lid, and on the sides. Frederick Wiseman states, "The size and manufacture is similar to the much more common, mid-Maine “Penobscot” bark boxes and may actually be an import from the east. However, I have never seen a box with these designs published as Penobscot work. The spruce root sewing on the lid is unique."

Box

Printed cardboard box for a paper doll set. The box has short sides, and the back secures with tabs similar to an envelope. The front is printed with the image of a boy in a fancy dress costume with leggings, boots, and a wide-brimmed hat. The top has the label, "LORDLY LIONEL". To the right of the boy is in the label, "The PRINCE AND PRINCESS SERIES OF DRESSING DOLLS PATD. FEB 20TH 1894." At the bottom is the label, "Raphael Tuck & Sons. LONDON : PARIS : NEW YORK PUBLISHERS TO Her Majesty The Queen. DESIGNED BY MARGUERITE McDONALD."

1966.29.2k

Used by Catherine and Florence Briggs in Brandon, Vermont

Box

One piece, collapsible box. Printed on top: "Vermont / Natural Creamery / BUTTER / LIGHTLY SALTED / 4 QUARTERS / NET WT. 16 OZ. (l LB.) / State's Pride / Mfg. by Cabot Farms Coop. Creamery Co., Inc., Cabot, Vermont 05647" Originally used in exhibition "200 Years of Making a Living in Vermont".

1976.51.3

Box

Round cottage cheese container. Printed on top: "Rosedale Brand Cottage Cheese 4% Milkfat min. Net Wt. 16 oz. (l lb.)" Originally used in the exhibition "200 Years of Making a Living in Vermont"

1976.51.4a-b

Box

Printed cardboard box for maple candy. The box is printed with a dark red background and features a cartoon figure with short brown hair, puckered lips, and a bright red sweater with white bands around each upper arm and a large turquoise "D" on the front. Beside the figure are the words, "PURE MAPLE / SAP SUCKERS" in white and yellow/orange lettering. There are additional words about the weight and contents of the candy inside below the main text and on the back of the box.

1984.16.1

Box

Cardboard box. This rectangular box has a black printed frame border and an image of a horse mostly in silhouette contained in a circle. The words “Kendall’s / SPAVIN CURE” in large black printed lettering and frame the horse image. In small print, the words “Registered in the Patent Office, Washington, in the year 1876, by Dr. B.J. Kendall, of Enosburg Falls, Vt.” underline the central image and larger printed lettering. The cardboard is empty and has no added coloring besides the black printed lettering on all sides.

1986.27.2

This box previously contained a small glass bottle for Kendall's Spavin Cure, 1986.27.4.

Box

One pound butter carton and wrappers from Cabot Farmers' Coop. Creamery, Inc. in Cabot, Vt. Rosedale brand. Carton is white and green with a red rose just under the words "Rosedale Brand." The lid is a and the base of the box is b.

1977.10.1a-b

Box

Cross Vermont cracker box. Red, white and black. Front has clear cellophane window and image of a horse and sleigh. Contained crackers in plastic bag. Last cracker disposed of on May 21, 2002. Recipes on back.

1977.10.4

Box

Tea box. Round white cardboard box. Printed on front: "Tummy tea/ Aminzade Herb Tea Co., Plainfield, VT" Also a list of ingredients and a hand-drawn picture of a person in bed. Impressed in cover: "FONDA" indicating it was made at Fonda Container of St. Albans, VT. Sample in plastic bag in box.

1978.4.2

Box, Foodstuff

A rectangular (waxy) box that contains the original product, "Vermont Curry/ Curry Sauce mix with apples and honey." On the front of the box there is a photo of a "serving suggestion" with a green salad as well as three apples grouped in the lower left. This box is "MILD" flavor and net wt. 125 g (4.4 oz.) The box is printed in both English and Japanese. On the end: "Date Manufactured 1990.3.7"
bright yellow/red/black/brown

1999.4

Box, Foodstuff

Cross Cracker box. Bright red with semi-gloss finish. Has a tab close top. Printing is mostly black with some white lettering: "CROSS/ Vermont/ CRACKERS/ Originated in Vermont in 1828" On front is a drawing (top) of a couple in a sleigh (in black) and 3 crackers in center (in yellow). 8 oz. package. Recipes on the back of box and a history on the sides. The company went out of business in early 1981.

1981.8

Box, Foodstuff

Folding cardboard box designed to hold six, twelve-ounce glass bottles. Labeled as "LOCAL NECTAR/made with 100% Vermont apples." Other printed information indicates it was produced by Woodchuck Hard Cider.

2014.52.42

Woodchuck Hard Cider, the first modern cidery in the U.S. since prohibition was founded in Vermont in 1991. It's currently located in Middlebury. Local Nectar was a line of limited edition ciders produced using only Vermont-sourced apples.

Bracelet

Friendship bracelet for Emma Mulvaney-Stanak's mayoral campaign in the City of Burlington. The bracelet has multiple shades of blue beads alternating, with one yellow and turquoise bead on each side of letter block beads spelling out "EMMA 4 MAYOR."

2024.33.5

Donated by Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, first female and openly LGBT person to serve as Mayor of Burlington. Friendship bracelets experienced a resurgence in popularity during the musician Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour, related to the lyrics for one of her songs, and became especially popular in campaigning for female candidates in 2024. This bracelet was a gift to Mulvaney-Stanak from a young supporter.

Bracelet

Light blue silicone bracelet with the impressed words, "STOP THE F-35 / SAVE OUR SKIES" around the exterior sides.

2013.32.20

Mission statement from the organization that produced this bracelet.
"Our mission is to cancel the basing of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter at the Vermont Air National Guard Station located at the Burlington, Vermont International Airport. We oppose the basing in order to protect the over 6,600 people living around the airport from the dangers associated with its basing. Some of these include adverse health impacts on children and adults, cognitive impairment in children, reduction in property values, classification of thousands of affordable homes as being unsuitable for residential use, disproportional negative impacts to minorities and people with low incomes, risk of loss of life from crashes, and nuclear threats from and to Vermont."

From the Associated Press in September of 2019 - "The first two of an eventual 20 F-35 jets arrived Thursday at the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington, the first Guard unit to receive the next-generation fighter. "

Broadax

Iron and wood broadax. The head of the ax is bell shaped with a triangular lug, a beveled cutting edge, and resembles a hewing ax. On one side of the ax’s head, a symbol of eight dots that encircles a central, large dot is punched into the iron. The wooden handle is thickest at the shoulder of the ax and becomes rectangular down the belly and grip, with the entire handle slightly curved toward the blade.

1978.15.3

Owned by Winfield Scott Schoppe in Canaan, Vermont. Schoppe was woods boss of a logging crew in Canaan for The Connecticut Valley Lumber Co., and was rear boss on the last river drive in 1915.

Brooch

Oval mourning brooch. The brooch contains a woven medallion of blonde hair edged with a narrow plait beneath a clear glass window. It is surrounded by 2 gold bands and a black enamel band.

1983.19.5

Contains the hair of Hannah Converse Blodgett

Brush Holder

Ash splint and sweetgrass basket

L2024.3.118

Bumper Plaque

251 Club car bumper plaque. The piece is is made up of a 5"h. x 4"w. piece of enameled metal that is screwed to a wooden base at the bottom two corners. The metal is green with white lettering: "Vermont / "251" / CLUB" The corners of the metal are rounded. The wooden base is made up of two stained (dark brown) pieces of wood (3 7/8" l. x 1 7/8"d. x 7/8"thick) nailed together. The lower edge of the metal is slightly bent and screwed to the edge of the top board with a flat head screw and a washer behind it. There residue paper on the bottom where it had been glued. The back right edge has a white brush mark from painting white.

2011.41.5

Burlington Harbor, ca. 1895

This painting portrays a white steamboat positioned in the water, situated near the shore adjacent to a large two-story building that extends into the water. The scene is depicted from a viewpoint on the water, looking towards the shore. The land is represented as a flat strip positioned below the center line of the composition, adorned with numerous trees and buildings painted in shades of tan, red, and white. The steamboat itself features distinctive elements, including a black smokestack and a water wheel positioned on its side. It has two deck levels. The wheel cover of the water wheel bears the label "Chateaugay," while a blue flag with the same label is seen flying from the boat. At the stern, an American flag is displayed, while the bow exhibits the Vermont flag. The sky above is depicted as a blue expanse, embellished with scattered white clouds.