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You are currently viewing archive for October 2009
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October 30, 2009 08:22:47
Posted By The Curator
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Hi All!
Well, the branches were gone, but today came the trunks! Check out some of these shots of Hazlett's doing their work...braver men than I am that's for sure!
Enjoy!
-The Curator
Cutting through the top of the tree...the official "tree cutter" told us it was swaying back and forth in the wind like crazy...which isn't good...because there wasn't much wind!
Here it comes!
And what's left!
Just cleaning up the branches...thank goodness for full service!
Clearing more branches
Take a look at the heartwood in the center...or more prominently the lack of heartwood! With so much rot in this tree between the heartwood and the base, it's amazing it was still standing at all!
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October 29, 2009 09:42:31
Posted By The Curator
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William Reynolds was quite the gardener...in fact, he planted nearly all of the older trees we have.
Slight problem...trees get big
Not only that, but trees LEAN!
Sadly, we are currently taking a tree down from the hillside next to the Baldwin-Reynolds House. Well, two trees to be precise...a cherry and a maple decided they wanted to grow a bit close together...too close. They're connected at the bottom and rotting between. With one of the two leaning towards the house, it's time to take preventative actions...so with the help of Hazlett Tree Service, it's down with the tree!
Check out the pictures of today's work!
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October 29, 2009 09:16:55
Posted By The Curator
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Hi All!
We're now on Twitter!
Check us out at:
http://twitter.com/baldwinreynolds
Follow us and tell us what you think!
-The Curator
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October 29, 2009 08:24:47
Posted By The Curator
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Last weekend, The Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum helped Allegheny College and the Meadville Public Library turn back time to the 1930s! Saturday we opened the library in a very different way-nearly 80 years in the past! The museum assisted with an exhibit of 1930s fashion with several dresses, taking me to the museum’s “attic” to set up the necessary artifacts. With these efforts, one may wonder just what The Baldwin-Reynolds House has in its attic. I think it’s a wonderful time to share just what we hold in our efforts to preserve Crawford County’s history.
When an artifact is donated to The Crawford County Historical Society, it passes through a committee to determine if fits within the scope of our collection. Basically, this means we don’t end up with ten pianos, etc. Their recommendations are then sent to our Board of Directors for approval. This process, although extensive, ensures we only take what we can adequately preserve for the residents of Crawford County to best serve you.
Clothing
The Crawford County Historical Society boasts an extensive collection of clothing dating from the 1810s to after World War II. Our textiles, several hundred of them, range from military uniforms to wedding dresses and everything in between. As with all collections, there are some slim areas, mostly in terms of historic men’s clothing and clothing from the early and mid 20th century, but we are proud of this expansive collection.
Military
The Museum is a repository for military items connecting to Crawford County spanning two centuries. We continue to collect items relating to our county’s citizens both in war and peace time!
Artwork
The Crawford County Historical Society is a repository for paintings and portraits of many of our county’s early residents and this collection is always growing. We welcome paintings and lithographs of early citizens of Crawford County.
Furniture
As a house museum, we obviously hold many pieces of furniture. Several more pieces are in our attic to be rotated with those on display. We occasionally change the time period, uses, etc of a room and this collection allows us to do so. We hold everything from a working loom to several sofas and are always pursuing relevant items for display.
“Other”
Finally, we have what I call “other artifacts.” These are the items that make a house a home, or barn, or garage, or greenhouse, or anything else. Historic tools, musical instruments, china, flatware, silver, jewelry, farm equipment, even carriages or vehicles fit in this category. We have two horse drawn vehicles (carriage and wagon) and even a hose cart from a local fire department. Our collection is always growing and our attic is stuffed! If you would like to get involved in helping us care for these items, call or email at 814-333-9882 or museum@baldwinreynolds.org!
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October 28, 2009 07:36:29
Posted By The Curator
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Have you ever wondered how old your house was? Who lived there? How to tell its age and style? These are all questions I get regularly at The Baldwin-Reynolds House, but usually not about the museum. Living in a house for any length of time makes one want to learn more about it, just as having a new friend or significant other makes one want to learn more about them.
We’re going to talk a little bit about “dating your house” (excuse the pun!) using details from your front porch to your living room woodwork and everything in between.
The Exterior
The Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum is a Greek Revival Mansion built in 1842-43 largely of brick. The Greek Revival style ran from about the 1820s through the 1850s. The museum is largely, in the exterior, reflective of this style with large porticos, or porches, held up by massive columns. Columns could be either round or square, making the building look very temple like. The roof of our house is not Greek Revival as the museum was originally built as a two story house with a hip roof rather than the French Mansard that was added during the 1860s renovations by William Reynolds.
After seeing the Greek Revival exterior of the house, the interior is stunningly different. William and Julia Reynolds remodeled the first floor during their more than 60 years of inhabitance and John and Katherine changed more upon their marriage in 1911. The first floor boasts black walnut woodwork everywhere as well as parquet flooring and other accessories (gasoliers, marble fireplaces, etc.). The Reynolds boasted a stylish home and the museum is largely Victorian inside as a result. The dining room is purely a product of John and Katherine, however. The fireplace from Katherine’s grandfather’s home, mixed with a simple chandelier, and rural print wallpaper give the room a Colonial Revival appearance.
The Second Floor
The second floor drastically changes from the first, holding much more of its original characteristics. Judge Baldwin’s woodwork, with the exception of the black walnut in the hall, is largely intact. The front rooms are graced with a heavy Empire style tiger maple, complete with matching fireplaces. The lighter woodwork is also a product of its time period, with the dark heavy appearance of black walnut being appreciated much more during the Victorian Era. The windows are all the original six-over-six window panes. Minus a few notable exceptions such as the black walnut staircases, it is largely 1840s Empire.
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