2012 Program Series
Digging Up Newburyport’s Dirty Little Secrets
***Call 978-462-2681 for reservations for all events***
FEBRUARY
‘When Two Hearts as One Unite’: Love, Play, Flirtation, Courtship, & Marriage in Early America Only one seat left…!
This talk will look at the relationships between the sexes from childhood to marriage in eighteenth and nineteenth century America. Betsy Widmer will look at activities girls and boys enjoyed—or, on occasion, did not enjoy—together; seek out the subtleties of courting customs and practices; and probe the aspirations, expectations and fears of those on the threshold of marriage.
Last year’s Valentine’s dinner/lecture event sold out, so please contact the Society early to reserve your seat!! Sunday, February 12th, 5:30pm, 10 Center Street Restaurant, Newburyport, MA. Lecture followed by dinner. Cash bar. $55 per person. RSVP required - Call the HSON at 978.462.2681 for reservations.
Samplers of the Newburys: Permanence of the Vernacular SOLD OUT
(Connoisseurship Series I)**
Dr. Tricia Wilson Nguyen of Thistle Threads has spent years researching the history of samplers made in the Newburys . The history and geography of Newbury and Newburyport provide a unique opportunity to gain insight into girls’ education in the 18th and 19th centuries. Through a selection of samplers from the Society’s collection, we’ll examine the style of a Newburyport Federal period master designer who left her unique style on the needlework of numerous local girls. During the lecture, Dr. Wilson Nguyen will show many examples from the over 200 pieces she has researched and will discuss how the subtle differences in the material cultures of Newbury and Newburyport affected the design and execution of the pieces.
Thursday, February 16th , 6:30pm, 98 High Street, Cushing House Museum, Newburyport, MA. $20 per person. RSVP required.
Dolls Taken Out of Retirement – Bring Yours to Meet Ours!
(Connoisseurship Series II)**
Explore one of childhood’s most treasured traditions through the Society’s collection and learn about the differences between the ages and qualities of our dolls from the 18th through 20th centuries. Antiquarian Dan Meader of Georgetown has been involved in the antiques trade since the age of five and has been a consultant to museums, collectors and auction houses throughout the Northeast. He recently completed an appraisal of a single owner doll collection numbering in the thousands. Dan spent 10 years as the president of the Buttonwoods Museum and served on its board for 20. He welcomes those with dolls to bring them for discussion.
Thursday, February 23rd, 6:30pm, 98 High Street, Cushing House Museum, Newburyport, MA, $10 per person. RSVP required.
MARCH
Mint Condition
(Connoisseurship Series III)**
Join Society member and rare coin specialist, Dr. Rick Bagg, as he leads us in a presentatin of American coins and collecting. Who are some of the famous collectors and what made them successful? Learn about the various aspects of coin collecting that are important determinants of value. Also discussed will be the fact that “coins are fun” to collect as a hobby and that stisfying collections can be formed and enjoyed with few coins for little money and without investment considerations. As a numismatic scholar, Rick has written numerous articles on numismatic literature, grading coins, investing in coins, and has supplied information to many standard reference sources. He spent his 30-year career working as a consignment director for a major rare coin auction firm where he negotiated and corrdinated the sale of several hundred millions of dollars in coins and will share some of the more interesting client stories with you. Attendees are encouraged to bring some of their old coins for discussion.
Wednesday, March 15th, 6:30pm, 98 High Street, Cushing House Museum, Newburyport, MA. $10 per person. RSVP required.
APRIL
From the White House to Your House: Four Administrations of Floral Arranging
In cooperation with the Newburyport Garden Club, we are delighted to have master floral designer Ruth Loiseau share her incomparable talents with us along with tales of her years as the White House floral designer through four consecutive administrations. During her presentation, Ruth will create several floral arrangements to be auctioned off at the end of the evening – a rare opportunity from one of the nation’s premier designers! Don’t wait to reserve your space – this event will sell out fast!
Tuesday, April 17th, 6:30pm, Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA . Free to members / $15 for non-members.
MAY
The Wise Woman’s Pantry: The Wife as Doctor in Colonial Newbury
Nutritional Herbologist/Herbalist, Eva Jackman, of Silverledge Farm, Newbury, will share natural therapies from home and nature. Every young woman’s education would have included learning how to administer medicines, salves, and other remedies for the good of the household health. Everything from brewing a cup of herbal tea to the old fashioned foot bath will be discussed. We will focus on herbs specific to northern New England and pantry staples.
Thursday, May 24th, 6:30pm, 98 High Street, Cushing House Museum, $10 per person. RSVP required.
JUNE
33rd Annual Garden Tour & Plant Sale: Magical Paths, Labryths & Parterres
Our 33rd annual garden tour is sure to please with gardens that just can’t be missed. Be sure to stop by our plant sale on the grounds of the Cushing House Museum at 98 High Street for many varietals propagated in our own garden beds.
Saturday & Sunday June 9th & 10th, 10am – 4pm each day. Rain or Shine!
JULY
Down –n- Dirty: Digging Up History in Our Own Backyards
Do you live in Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury or on Plum Island and have unearthed something interesting in your yard? Perhaps an arrowhead, buckle, lead shot, old bottle, pottery, coins or just something you can’t identify? The Society is having its first-ever contest to see who has found some of the most interesting objects. This is an event for kids and adults alike – let’s face it, we’re all intrigued when we dig up a piece of the past no matter what our own age.
Join us at our booth on the Bartlett Mall during Old Fashion Sunday. We’ll have a display of a large number of interesting discoveries from the area that people have dug up in the recent past. Bring your own discoveries to the booth and we’ll help you identify them and tell you of their use and significance.
For those unable to come by the mall on Sunday, you may bring your finds to the Cushing House Museum, 98 High Street on Tuesday July 31st 10-4 or Wednesday August 1st 10 – 4.
Prizes will go to the most interesting finds!
Sunday, July 29th “Old Fashion Sunday”, 10am – 4pm, Bartlett Mall, High Street, Newburyport, MA.
AUGUST
Yankee Homecoming Parade Party
What would Yankee Homecoming be without a parade party? And what would a parade party be without Co-President and resident Grill Meister Chris Armstrong’s grilled-to-perfection hot dogs? You’ll have one of the best viewing spots along the parade route as you enjoy the events under our viewing tent in front of the Cushing House Museum.
Sunday, August 5th, 98 High Street, Cushing House Museum, RSVP required. Please contact the Society to reserve a spot. Members only.
SEPTEMBER
Digging Right In: The Ins and Outs of Researching Your House History
Let’s face it, we’re all curious to learn about past owners of our homes – who they were and what their lives were like. But understanding where to go and how to research this information is key. Jane Wild, our keynote speaker for this lecture following the Historical Society’s annual meeting, has worked researching deeds and titles at the Essex County Registry of Deeds for the past 30 years. Jane will use Newburyport’s Wheelwright House as an example of how to trace your house ownership back to its original owners. Once you’ve discovered who lived in your house and when, you’ll learn how to use the Historical Society’s resources to learn more about the lives of the people who once lived there.
This talk should be of particular interest to those who may be interested in finding out more about their house’s history as well as those who might be curious about one of Newburyport’s landmark properties.
Wednesday, September 12th, Location TBD, 6:30 Annual Meeting (members only). 7:00pm Lecture (open to the public). RSVP required. Please contact the Society to reserve a spot.
OCTOBER
Letting the Skeletons Out of the Closet: Halloween Costume Party and Cemetery Tour
Channel your inner ghoul and join us in costume for a night of tricks and treats at the HSON Halloween costume party. We’ll toast the spirits at the Cushing House and take a spooky hayride through Oak Hill cemetery while Ghlee Woodworth regales us with stories of some of Newburyport’s long dead characters…
Saturday, October 27th, 98 High Street, Cushing House Museum, 6:30pm, RSVP required. Adult members only.
NOVEMBER
2nd Annual ‘Bury Treasures Auction
Back by popular demand is our second annual auction which focuses on great items found in the Newburys. Be it antique furniture, maritime items, collectibles, locally-made silver, ephemera, etc., you’ll discover a trove of finds at our auction! Considering downsizing or finally getting around to cleaning out the attic and basement? Then give us a call to consign your items with us!
Saturday, November 23rd, Time & location TBD.
DECEMBER
Holiday Decorations Open House
Step into the first floor of the HSON and drink in the scents and scenes of Christmases past. The Cushing House shines with fresh seasonal arrangements creatively rendered by local garden clubs, hand-baked, spice-scented ornaments, holiday decorations and antique toy “gifts” from the Society’s collection under the tree. This truly captures the magic of the season.
Saturday, December 1st & Monday, December 3rd, 98 High Street, Cushing House Museum, 12 – 4pm, Free to public.
Members’ Holiday Party
Come ring in the holiday season among the Society’s antique decorations and the floral and greenery expertly arranged by local garden clubs. Delight in the jovial atmosphere as you sip our traditional punch (made from an early 19th century recipe!), savor the delicious hors d’oeuvres, and enjoy catching up with fellow members. A members-only event.
Sunday, December 2nd, 98 High Street, Cushing House Museum, 5:30pm, RSVP required. Members only.
** ABOUT THE CONNOISSEURSHIP SERIES
What separates good collections from great collections? Why do great collectors always seem to make the “great” find? During this series, antiquarians will discuss a topic of their expertise and share with is their insight as to how they weigh quality, condition, rarity, desirability, provenance and price when making a prospective purchase. Examples from within the Society’s collections pertinent to each evening will be on display for the purpose of discussion. This small and intimate format will allow those in attendance to examine both extremely fine and rare objects up-close and in great depth.
* Thank you to the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank for sponsoring our 2012 program series. *
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A Sampling of Past Events…
2011 Calendar of Events
Program Series
In addition to our annual events such as the Garden Tour and ‘Bury Treasures Auction, 2011 is filled with programs and events centered around this year’s theme, “Love, Lust & Lye: A Day in the Life of an 18th Century Housewife”.
***Call 978-462-2681 or email us at info@newburyhist.org for reservations for all events***
FEBRUARY
Newburyport’s Great Love Affairs
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with us over cocktails and dinner and listen as curator, Jay Williamson, regales us with tales of well-chronicled love affairs of Newburyporters from the 18th and 19th centuries. SOLD OUT
Object of Virtue: Some 18th and 19th Century Women’s Prized Possessions in the Collection
Curator Jay Williamson discusses the importance of many of the women’s objects from the Society’s collection.
SOLD OUT
MARCH
Women’s Fashion of the 19th Century
Girls’ Night Out
Join historic fashion expert Lois Valeo for an evening presentation which will include viewings of 19th century women’s costumes from the Society’s collection. Champagne and delightful refreshments served in the “Grotto” prior to the presentation.
SOLD OUT
APRIL
19th and 20th Century Hooked Rugs
With antique locally-hooked rugs from the Historical Society’s collection – many of which have not been available for public view for several decades – antique textile expert and dealer, Colette Donovan, will provide a window into the history of these textiles. From floor coverings made by necessity from fabric scraps by early 19th century housewives to the more color-planned versions of the early 20th century, you’ll find that there is an interesting tale to tell about these creations underfoot.
***Attendees are invited to bring their own hooked rugs for display and discussion.***
***Do you have a hooked rug in need of repair? Bring it along!*** SOLD OUT
MAY
New Event!! ‘Bury Treasures Auction
Silent and Live Auctions featuring antique and vintage items with a local focus.
$35pp and no buyer’s premium
The Wise Woman’s Pantry: The Wife as Family Doctor in Colonial Newbury
Centuries ago, a wife needed not only to keep the home, raise the children and tend to the kitchen garden, she also needed to be well-versed in the medicinal properties of locally-found plants. Join herbalist Eva Jackman for a fascinating look at the wife as family doctor in 17th and 18th century Newbury.
POSTPONED
JUNE
Cushing House Museum Tour Season Begins
Open for tours Wed.—Sun. thru Oct., 12—4pm
98 High St.
Adults: $8.00 Seniors: $7.00 Students and children under 18: $2.00
32nd Annual Garden Tour (Rain or Shine!)
Spend a relaxing two days strolling under arbors and through old wooden gates to admire the 11 treasured gardens on this year’s tour. Drink in the views of the mighty Merrimack River at several riverside gardens and take a gander back in time as you visit two historic gardens dating back to the mid-1800s. Historic and modern, waterside and inland, you will visit a remarkable variety of outstanding gardens that will delight the senses and leave you with wonderful memories to savor of this year’s tour and have you eagerly anticipating 2012.
Check out our plant sale for unusual varietals of perennials, annuals, herbs and more – many propagated at the Society!
Advance tickets:
$20 After June 1st: $25 Seniors over 65 yrs.:
$20
JULY
Cocktail Party Trivia Under the Stars
Saturday, 23rd, 6:30—8:30pm; 98 High Street
Whether you’re new to town or have lived here all your life, we have questions that will tease, please, and stump you! Come join us as teams view historic photos from the Society’s collection and battle it out to see who knows the most about the history of the Newburys!
A members-only event. Free to all members.
AUGUST
Yankee Homecoming Walk-Through of Museum Grounds
Come to the Society for a free peek at the elegant first floor rooms decorated with furniture and art from the Newburys. Docents will be on hand to answer questions and provide you with interesting tidbits about the house and its former occupants. Then proceed outside to the grounds for a leisurely stroll through the restored garden.
Silhouettes with Carol Labeoux; Silhouettes $33; additional copies $12
2nd Annual Family Parade Cookout
After watching the parade in front of the HSON (one of the best viewing spots on High Street!), gather up the kids and grandkids and join us for a light BBQ in the garden! A members-only event. Free to all members.
SEPTEMBER
Annual Meeting & Lecture Series I: “I Prefer Pestilence: Preparing the House for Comfort Year Round”
OCTOBER
Lecture Series II: “’Needlework May Claim the First Place’:
Plain and Fancy Sewing for House and Family in Early America”
Betsy Widmer
***2011 Cushing House Tour Season Ends***
Sunday, 30th, 5pm
DECEMBER
Holiday Decorations Open House
Step into the first floor of the HSON and drink in the scents and scenes of Christmases past. The Cushing House shines with fresh seasonal arrangements created by local garden clubs, hand-baked spice-scented ornaments, holiday decorations and toy “gifts” under the tree from the Society’s collection. Free to public.
Members Holiday Party
Come and ring in the holiday season among the antique decorations at the Society. Delight in the jovial atmosphere as you sip our traditional punches, savor the delicious hors d’oeuvres, and enjoy catching up with fellow members. A members-only event.