Barrel Organ

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We usually offer a series of collections-based programming this time of year, but with the historic house closed in response to  COVID-19, we are instead highlighting some collections items in a series of short videos. Watch Collections Manager Arthur Benware’s video presentation on our Barrel Organ. Check back for a new video each week!

Object of the Day – May 29

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  Chest of Drawers 1800-1805 Maker: Michael Allison (1773–1855) Mahogany, tulip poplar, pine, satinwood, brass JJ.1966.16 New York This early 19th century chest of drawers was made by New York cabinetmaker, Michael Allison. The sides are solid mahogany, and the drawers are a mahogany veneer. The decorative inlay on the top drawer, as well as…

Mystery Object for May 29

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Be an Object Detective – can you guess what today’s Mystery Object is? Here are some questions to answer about the object: Looking at these objects, can you guess what material they are made of? What shapes do you see when you look at these objects? The three objects in the picture work together. How…

Mystery Object for May 28

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Be an Object Detective – can you guess what today’s Mystery Object is? Here are some questions to answer about the object: Looking at this object, can you guess what materials it is made of? What animal is this object supposed to look like? What do you think this object was used for?   Yesterday’s…

Object of the Day – May 27

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White Opera Length gloves early 20th century- post 1913 Leather, pearl JJ.1970.2   These white, leather evening gloves have a pearl button closure. Leather gloves of this style were eveningwear, worn in the Fall or Winter. They a made of kidskin, typically from the skin of young goats, known as “kids.” The gloves have a…

Mystery Object for May 27

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Be an Object Detective – can you guess what today’s Mystery Object is? Here are some questions to answer about the object: Looking at this object, can you guess what material it is made of? Why do you think this object has holes in it? What do you think this object was used for? Do…

Object of the Day – May 26

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Pin-Poppet or Pin-Box Painted black leather, velvet, small metallic studs Possibly English, date unknown JJ.1962.525   This small painted leather wrapped pin-poppet, also known as a pin-box, was a closed container for holding pins. Ours currently is missing its lid as well as a few small silver studs, but the paint is intact and retains…

Mystery Object for May 26

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Be an Object Detective – can you guess what today’s Mystery Object is? Here are some questions to answer about the object: Looking at this object, can you guess what materials it is made of? What do you think this object was used for? Do you think this object would be used in a house…

Mystery Object for May 25

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Be an Object Detective – can you guess what today’s Mystery Object is? Here are some questions to answer about the object: Looking at this object, can you guess what materials it is made of? What shapes do you see when you look at this object? What do you think this object was used for?…

Mystery Object for May 24

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Be an Object Detective – can you guess what today’s Mystery Object is? Here are some questions to answer about the object: Looking at this object, can you guess what material it is made of? Why do you think this object has a sharp point at the end? What do you think this object was…

Object of the Day – May 23

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Gallant Fox c.1932 Bronze Eleanor Iselin Wade JJ.1999.1 This bronze sculpture of Gallant Fox was done by Eleanor Iselin Wade, John Jay’s great-great-great granddaughter around 1932. The sculpture was commissioned by Gallant Fox’s owner, William Woodward, a New York banker; Gallant Fox was a chestnut stallion with a white blaze (or swatch of white fur)…

Mystery Object for May 23

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Be an Object Detective – can you guess what today’s Mystery Object is? Here are some questions to answer about the object: Looking at this object, can you guess what material it is made of? Why do you think this object has so many holes? This object has a handle on top. Do you think…

John Jay’s Sword

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We usually offer a series of collections-based programming this time of year, but with the historic house closed in response to  COVID-19, we are instead highlighting some collections items in a series of short videos. Watch Collections Manager Arthur Benware’s video presentation on John Jay’s Sword. Check back for a new video each week!

Mystery Object for May 22

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Be an Object Detective – can you guess what today’s Mystery Object is? Here are some questions to answer about the object: Looking at this object, can you guess what material it is made of? Do you think this object was used inside or outside? What do you think this object was used for?  …

Object of the Day – May 22

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Barrister Bookcase 1790 Back Hall American JJ.1969.307 This ornate, Federal-era bookcase was made around 1790 and original to John Jay during his time as the first Chief Justice. Known as a barrister bookcase, it was used by lawyers to make their law libraries more portable while they traveled on court circuits. These specialized bookcases consisted…