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- Miniature Glass Figure, Crane, 1955-1985 - For visitors to the resort towns around Pentwater, Michigan, a trip to Henry Carter Johnson's "Glass Menagerie" was a cherished vacation ritual. For over forty years, beginning in 1952, Johnson heated colored glass rods and fashioned them into multicolored figures. His whimsical creatures captured the imaginations of children and adults who purchased them, providing a tangible reminder of an enjoyable Michigan summer.
- 1955-1985
- Collections - Artifact
Miniature Glass Figure, Crane, 1955-1985
For visitors to the resort towns around Pentwater, Michigan, a trip to Henry Carter Johnson's "Glass Menagerie" was a cherished vacation ritual. For over forty years, beginning in 1952, Johnson heated colored glass rods and fashioned them into multicolored figures. His whimsical creatures captured the imaginations of children and adults who purchased them, providing a tangible reminder of an enjoyable Michigan summer.
- Miniature Glass Figure, Angel with Birds, 1955-1985 - For visitors to the resort towns around Pentwater, Michigan, a trip to Henry Carter Johnson's "Glass Menagerie" was a cherished vacation ritual. For over forty years, beginning in 1952, Johnson heated colored glass rods and fashioned them into multicolored figures. His whimsical creatures captured the imaginations of children and adults who purchased them, providing a tangible reminder of an enjoyable Michigan summer.
- 1955-1985
- Collections - Artifact
Miniature Glass Figure, Angel with Birds, 1955-1985
For visitors to the resort towns around Pentwater, Michigan, a trip to Henry Carter Johnson's "Glass Menagerie" was a cherished vacation ritual. For over forty years, beginning in 1952, Johnson heated colored glass rods and fashioned them into multicolored figures. His whimsical creatures captured the imaginations of children and adults who purchased them, providing a tangible reminder of an enjoyable Michigan summer.
- "Animal Locomotion or Walking, Swimming, and Flying, with a Dissertation on Aeronautics" -
- 1874
- Collections - Artifact
"Animal Locomotion or Walking, Swimming, and Flying, with a Dissertation on Aeronautics"
- Letter from Arthur Conan Doyle to George M. Holley, September 5, 1923 - George Holley, founder of Holley Motor Company, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, famed author, became acquainted after Holley attended one of Doyle's lectures in Detroit. From 1923 to 1929, the two maintained a robust correspondence. Spiritualism was a frequent topic as they traded recommendations of mediums, bemoaned skeptics like Harry Houdini, and discussed the state of belief on both sides of the Atlantic.
- September 05, 1923
- Collections - Artifact
Letter from Arthur Conan Doyle to George M. Holley, September 5, 1923
George Holley, founder of Holley Motor Company, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, famed author, became acquainted after Holley attended one of Doyle's lectures in Detroit. From 1923 to 1929, the two maintained a robust correspondence. Spiritualism was a frequent topic as they traded recommendations of mediums, bemoaned skeptics like Harry Houdini, and discussed the state of belief on both sides of the Atlantic.
- Taxidermy Display of Birds, 1865-1900 - In the late 19th century, displaying taxidermy – previously viewed as somewhat bizarre – was considered stylish, with birds being especially common. Decorative taxidermy pieces sought to imitate those exhibited at natural history museums. In addition to being socially popular, taxidermy was viewed as a tool of conservation. Interest in decorative taxidermy waned at the turn of the century as tastes shifted.
- 1865-1900
- Collections - Artifact
Taxidermy Display of Birds, 1865-1900
In the late 19th century, displaying taxidermy – previously viewed as somewhat bizarre – was considered stylish, with birds being especially common. Decorative taxidermy pieces sought to imitate those exhibited at natural history museums. In addition to being socially popular, taxidermy was viewed as a tool of conservation. Interest in decorative taxidermy waned at the turn of the century as tastes shifted.
- Drawing of a Bird by George Matthew Adams, 1890 -
- February 27, 1890
- Collections - Artifact
Drawing of a Bird by George Matthew Adams, 1890
- Drawing of Confronted Lions and Birds, 1800-1820 - Early German immigrants created decorative documents, known as Fraktur, for a variety of reasons. Many commemorated a child's birth and baptism. Others were made as keepsakes, symbols of achievement, or expressions of the immigrant's heritage or religion. These documents usually incorporated intricate lettering, elaborate borders and colorful drawings. This particular drawing was likely created as a practice piece.
- 1800-1820
- Collections - Artifact
Drawing of Confronted Lions and Birds, 1800-1820
Early German immigrants created decorative documents, known as Fraktur, for a variety of reasons. Many commemorated a child's birth and baptism. Others were made as keepsakes, symbols of achievement, or expressions of the immigrant's heritage or religion. These documents usually incorporated intricate lettering, elaborate borders and colorful drawings. This particular drawing was likely created as a practice piece.
- Lithograph, "Milvus Migrans, Bodd, Black Kite" 1832-1881 -
- circa 1832-1881
- Collections - Artifact
Lithograph, "Milvus Migrans, Bodd, Black Kite" 1832-1881
- Bandbox, Made by Hannah Davis, 1832 - Hannah Davis (1784-1863), a Jaffrey, New Hampshire, entrepreneur, created colorful, wallpaper-covered bandboxes. Davis sold many of her bandboxes to the young, migrant women who worked in the textile mills in the surrounding New England villages. Davis's attractive and affordable bandboxes were ideal for the millworkers. The boxes could hold clothing and accessories and they served as useful storage cases when the women traveled home.
- 1832
- Collections - Artifact
Bandbox, Made by Hannah Davis, 1832
Hannah Davis (1784-1863), a Jaffrey, New Hampshire, entrepreneur, created colorful, wallpaper-covered bandboxes. Davis sold many of her bandboxes to the young, migrant women who worked in the textile mills in the surrounding New England villages. Davis's attractive and affordable bandboxes were ideal for the millworkers. The boxes could hold clothing and accessories and they served as useful storage cases when the women traveled home.
- Hallmark "Christmas Snowman" Christmas Ornament, 1996 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- 1996
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "Christmas Snowman" Christmas Ornament, 1996
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.