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November 4, 2009 11:02:46
Posted By The Curator
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While doing some fall cleaning recently, I couldn’t help but become perplexed at a portrait I was walking past. Charles Yates currently resides in Section 5, Lot 121 of Greendale Cemetery (for those who would like to pay their respect) with both his first and second wife. One wonders, however, what Yates did during his lifetime? What impact did he leave? What happened during the “dash” that is now seen between the dates on his tombstone?
After having my interest sparked from this painting, I started digging (in books that is) for more information on my portrait. Charles M. Yates was born January 2, 1804 in Germantown, just outside Philadelphia, PA. He was left as an orphan at approximately eight years old, inheriting his parents’ estate. With this money for a decent education, Yates was put under the direction of a private instructor, Rev. Francis Luther. Several other schools followed, leading him to finish medical school at the University of Maryland in 1825. He practiced for over 40 years in Meadville, retiring here.
Charles Yates was married twice. He and his first wife, Maria Buchanan (brother of future President James Buchanan) were married in 1826, having five children. Maria passed away in 1849.
The November 13, 1849 issue of the Lancaster Intelligencer printed the following obituary for her:
“Died at Meadville, on Friday, the 2d instant, Mrs. Maria T. Yates, wife of Dr. Charles M. Yates, and the only surviving sister of the Hon. James Buchanan. This excellent lady throughout life endeared herself to all her acquaintances by the cheerfulness and benevolence of her disposition, and in the domestic circle she was the object of enthusiastic affection. Her last illness was long and painful; but she bore it with resignation to the will of her Heavenly Father, and died the death of a Christian. She has left a husband and six children to deplore their irreparable loss.”
In 1850 Yates was remarried to Clara Chamberlain, the daughter of a fellow doctor in Crawford County and had seven more children.
Yates was an early physician, upstanding citizen, and notable member of our community and even connects Meadville to a presidential family! What was just another “pretty face” on the walls of the Baldwin-Reynolds House now has a story. The “dash” between his dates is filled in at least a little more!
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November 1, 2009 01:12:22
Posted By The Curator
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Daniel and Anna Dick Shryock- Parents of Katherine Reynolds in the BR Solarium
Now there are several ways you can keep up with happenings at the Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum in Meadville, PA! Check us out, follow us, or just leave a note to say hi!
Newspaper:
Every Monday morning you can get your fill of the BR from our article on page 2 of The Meadville Tribune! It's a great companion to coffee.
Email:
Website:
Blog:
Our blog is constantly being updated on happenings at the house and has photos of our progress...check it out by the link on our website or going to: http://apps.baldwinreynolds.org/Blog/
Facebook:
Twitter:
Granted, these are no substitutes for dropping in to say hello in person, but until we open back up in the spring...it's a great way to keep in touch!
Talk to you soon!
-The Curator
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Categories:
Events,
General,
Updates,
Welcome,
house,
fun,
inventory,
volunteering,
Twitter,
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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 09:16:55
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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