American Patriot: Deborah Samson

Posted on by hchm-curator

On Sunday, January 17, 2016, at 2:00, the museum will host a first person portrayal of a soldier during the American Revolution, Deborah Samson. Anna Smith, as Samson, will present the story of an enlisted ‘man’ in General George Washington’s Continental Army.  Curious about this woman, I looked up some background.

Deborah Samson

Deborah Samson

Born in Plympton, Mass., December 17, 1760, Deborah was the oldest of three girls and three boys. Her father, Jonathan, was lost at sea when Deborah was quite young, as a result her childhood was one of poverty. She was sold as an indentured servant at the age of 8 or 10.

At 18, her indenture was completed and the War of Independence was being fought. Deborah was interested serving her country, but women were not allowed in the military. To get around this, at age 21, she adopted the name of her dead brother, Robert, and disguised herself as a man.  She was attached to the 4th Massachusetts Regiment as Robert Shurtleff, saw active combat and was injured on several occasions.  It was not discovered she was a woman until she suffered a fever toward the end of the war.  The doctor who treated her while she was unconscious took her to his home for treatment rather than betray her.

Plan to come to the museum on Sunday for this FREE program and learn more about this fascinating woman.

Thanks to Janelle & Gaylord Sanneman for sponsoring this event so that it can be offered as a free event.

Sources

  • https://blog.richmond.edu/heroes/2015/05/17/deborah-sampson-a-patriot-by-any-other-name/
  • http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/sampson.html

The Great Clean Up: A Story Quilt

Posted on by hchm-curator

On February 20, 2016, our new exhibit, Purposeful Stitches: Community Quilts, will open in the Schroeder Gallery.  Quilts often have a purpose beyond warmth and bedding. The exhibit will explore “quilts with a purpose” from our collection.

One unique quilt featured in the exhibit is a ‘Story Quilt.”

The Story Quilt is described in The Quilt Encyclopedia Illustrated by Carter Houck as a quilt “that tells a story or depicts a portion of one’s life.”  Story quilts have been an important part of quilting history.  Early story quilts provided a way for those who could not read to ‘tell a story.’  Perhaps some of the best known story quilts were done by Harriet Powers.

Harriet Powers, 1901

Harriet Powers, 1901

Born in 1837 as a slave, she could neither read not write but in the late 1800s she created two dramatic and powerful story quilts . . . that impacted the world of women and quilting.”

Bible Quilt, 1886. Created by Harriet Powers.

Bible Quilt, 1886. Created by Harriet Powers.

The Great Clean Up!

Our story quilt was created in 1992 by the 3rd Grade class at Cooper Elementary in Newton, Ks.  Displayed as a wall hanging, the quilt is tied with a pieced border.  The main image is painted on the fabric.

Story Quilt, painted, 1992. Made by the Cooper School 3rd Grade Class, Mrs. Fell, Mrs. Selzer, Mrs. Voth, Mrs Weaver, teachers.

Story Quilt, painted, 1992. Made by the Cooper School 3rd Grade Class, Mrs. Fell, Mrs. Selzer, Mrs. Voth, Mrs Weaver, teachers.

The story is written on fabric around the main image and is entitled, “The Great Clean Up” and tells the story of how the group of children cleaned up a nearby park and renamed it “Jayhawk Park.”

Detail, Story Quilt, 1992.

Detail, Story Quilt, 1992.

Those who participated in creating the quilt are listed on the front.

List of students that worked on the story quilt.

List of students that worked on the story quilt.

The back includes hand prints of each participant with their name.

Story Quilt back.

Story Quilt back.

Our exhibit, Purposeful Stitches: Community Quilts will open Sat., February 20, 2016 in the Schroeder Gallery.

Sources:

  • Meeske, Susan.  “Quilt Me A Story,”  at http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/professional-development/childlit/books/MEESKE.pdf.

“Building Bridges:” A.W.Roberson

Posted on by hchm-curator

In a recent newsletter, we included the story of A.W. Roberson, a local man who worked for Civil Rights in Newton, Ks. After the article, John Thiesen, Mennonite Library & Archives, Bethel College, N. Newton, made us aware of a recording of a convocation that A.W. Roberson took part in in fall 1978.  In this recording, he describes how he worked toward ending discrimination in the 1950s in Newton, Ks.

Click on the link below the photo to listen to A.W. Roberson.

A. W. Roberson.

A. W. Roberson.

Sound recording of A.W. Roberson Convo Program at Bethel College October 1978.

(Note: This is a recording of the full convocation October 2, 1978.  Approximately the first  ten minutes of the recording are announcements. Thank you to John Thiesen, Mennonite Library & Archives, Bethel College, for sharing this with us.)

Past blog articles on A.W. Roberson: