Page 40 - joa 2-2020
P. 40
On June 8, 1946, 81 people paid a assembled one of the largest collections of
dollar apiece to tour the grounds of what we materials documenting everyday life in early
come to be called Old Sturbridge Village 19th century rural New England.
and see displays of antiques and tools In addition to the items collected by A.B.
arranged in the new and restored old Wells and his brothers, OSV has also
buildings, including the Fitch House, Grist assembled a research library of more than
Mill, Richardson House and Gebhardt barn 35,000 printed documents focused on the
(now called the Parsonage and Parsonage history and material life in rural New England
Barn), the Miner Grant Store, Dennison from the years following the American
Schoolhouse (now the Child’s World Revolution until the Civil War. The collection
exhibit), Firearms exhibit, Shoe Shop, a includes textbooks, juveniles, advice books,
sawmill, and blacksmith shop. periodical literature, maps, broadsides, diaries,
Over the last 75 years, the “living account books, letters, as well as copies of
village” envisioned by the founding Wells The Tinsmith in his shop at Old Sturbridge Village manuscript census schedules, property deeds,
family members has grown to include probate records, and town directories.
additional structures and outfitted objects Modern scholarly journals and secondary
and is now a nationally-recognized resource works, and selected pre-1790 and post-1840
center and a leader in the fields of museum sources dealing with aspects of rural life and
education and living history interpretation. American history are also available. Areas of
strength include local and regional history,
The Collection health and medicine, agriculture and
Old Sturbridge Village’s collection horticulture, domestic life, education, religion,
consists of more than 40,000 artifacts made architecture, and early industrial history.
or used by rural New Englanders between In 2017 Old Sturbridge Village received a
1790 and 1840. grant from the Institute for Museum and
About half of the objects in the Library Services to migrate to a new collections
collection today were acquired by the database and create a new online collections
museum’s founders, brothers Albert B. portal. The creation of this new portal is a key
Wells, Joel Cheney Wells, and Channing M. component of the Village’s commitment to
Wells, from the 1920s through the early improving access to its collections. When the
1950s. A.B. Wells collected a wide range of Visitors to Old Sturbridge Village project is completed, the entire collection –
artifacts from a Hadley chest to a gear-driven lathe, with especially including more than 40,000 historic objects as well as its expansive
strong collections of early lighting devices, woodenware, and scientific Research Library – will be available and searchable online.
instruments. Joel Cheney Wells focused his collecting activities on clocks For more information and a list of upcoming events at Old Sturbridge
and paperweights. From this foundation, Old Sturbridge Village has Village, visit www.osv.org.
Important Sword presented by Abraham Lincoln
WANT MORE? in January Antique Estates Auction
Central Mass Auctions Inc. • 508-612-6111
Sign up for our FREE monthly newsletter Thursday, January 30th
Auction @ 6:00 PM • Preview @ 3:00 PM
“POST PRESS UPDATE” Roseville Pottery Auction 5:30 PM
To subscribe, visit journalofantiques.com 267 Providence St. • Worcester, MA
Please see www.centralmassauctions.com for details and photos!
Important sword presented by
Abraham Lincoln to John Wesley
Jones Commander of the White
House Guards in 1862. Colt
revolver, samurai sword and
other weapons. F.S. Church and
other paintings by listed artists.
Several sterling silver hollowware and flatware sets. Buddha head collection and
Asian art. Cherry Smash and Ward’s Orange Crush soda fountain dispensers.
Breweriana and other advertising. Boston sports memorabilia. Silver flute.
First 6 issues of the Incredible Hulk comic books and others. Coins, estate
jewelry and much more to be listed!
Please visit our website for more pictures and details www.centralmassauctions.com
Call to consign or sell items for upcoming auctions - 508-612-6111 or
email info@centralmassauctions.com
Terms: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Debit card or pre-approved check. 15% Buyer’s Premium
License #2591 • Auctioneer: Wayne Tuiskula
Phone and Absentee Bids Accepted • Call for Details • Auction is catered • Subject to errors & omissions
38 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
