Opening Weekend & 'A Simpler Thyme' at The Oldest House

It was a lovely weekend at The Oldest House. Because of work for the newspaper, I won't be there tomorrow, Sunday, for the final afternoon. However, I was there both full days on Friday and today, and we had several visitors each day.
I have to be honest: I would have liked to have had twice the number of people we had visit The House. However, I'm grateful because most of the people who visited were really really interested.
And I sold SIX books! That's more money for The House!!! (The royalties go to The House)

The story of A RIVER IN TIME, if it grabs you, is irresistible, and I hope all who bought books today will be excited to read them, and visit The House again to tell me what they thought!

Today I was going to wear the lovely green/peach 1836 ensemble I wore Friday, but it looked even chillier than it had been Friday, so I opted to take my Victorian Riding Habit for a trial run. Unfortunately, I had opted not to wear a corset and by the time my costume change took place I had no time to get into mine, and no time to search out the veiled riding hat and crop that go with the habit.
So I arrived sans hat and corset but on time, and looking okay, if not quite as spectacular as I could have.

I promise to post photos of myself in both of these outfits, as soon as I have a photographer available to take decent portraits.
I will say the huge, wide riding skirt with room at the back for a bustle (on order, never fear) was trickier in some ways to negotiate than the pannier topped 1781 era skirts. Ah well!

I've posted photos previously on this blog of the finished vintage clothing display, and of the nursery/children's room, and 'Izzy's Room' and so on. Also of the new '1836 General Store' display, all of which I curated with help from the other volunteers.

Debbie and Carol took care of refreshing the exhibits in the other rooms, which I call 'History & Heritage.' They highlight important families in Laceyville and/or in the House, like the Laceys, the Christians, and the Morrisons. They also feature a number of the antique quilts we own--several donated by Margaret Lacey just months before she died.

Here is the gracious Dining Room with quilts, art of The House, and the spectacular Christian Family Spinning Wheel!

I hope you've enjoyed seeing the photos of The Oldest House, dressed in its finery for the 2013 Season. 

Please join us some weekend this summer for a tour (1-4 Friday, Saturday and Sunday) or for one of our Monthly Events, and 'Come Back in Time with Us."©

WHAT DO YOU BUY?

Hello everyone!

The title of this post was the customary greeting from shopkeepers to prospective customers as they entered a store back in the 18th century. Direct, perhaps, but one can imagine it said with a genuine curiosity, and a real desire to be of assistance--something that is sometimes lacking in today's retail world--and then it seems to fit.

Some of you may know that this year at The Oldest House I have been mounting a new exhibit in the front room of the House: recreating a General Store from 1836. Why 1836 you ask, when the House was built in 1781? Because Gen. Bradley Wakeman, who bought the House in 1836, ran a small general store at the House; it was successful enough that he soon moved the shop up to 'town,' what would become Laceyville.

Part of the joy of volunteering at The Oldest House is undoubtedly the ability to visualize a display or exhibit and then have that vision become a reality. I had a very clear picture of what I wanted our '1836 General Store' to look like. I think some people wondered if I would be able to pull it off--and to be honest, there were times when I thought that, too. But my doubts were fleeting and for the past few months I have been asking anyone and everyone I know--even total strangers--for items I thought might work in the display. 

Today, as I put the finishing touches on the room, that vision came to life, and I want to take this moment to thank all the people who offered collectibles or antiques, or who dug items up from cupboards and closets and gave them to me for this exhibit.

It looks amazing!

Researching what General Stores were like back in the 1830's was quite interesting, and appealed to my studious side as well as my retail experience. A list of average prices of common goods back in 1836 as well as a brief history of Wakeman, the House and his General Store will inform visitors to the House's 1836 Store this year.

Because we are dependent on donations to keep The Oldest House running, we do offer a small selection of House themed items and old fashioned gifts, and the money we make from these goes in our General Fund. This year, the 1836 General Store provides a natural segue into our own little corner shop. We have unique hand painted etched tin ornaments and evocative old fashioned bullseye glass disks as a memento of the House that visitors can take home with them, and I wanted to make these beautiful pieces catch everyone's eye: so a sampling is hung in the window.

Through the good will of my friend Lori and her husband, we acquired a beautiful black bearskin: in my mind, I had envisioned a corner of the room with hides and/or skins, barrels, burlap sacks and a muzzleloader or musket. Lori's bear is the show stopper of this section, and the gift of some lovely burlap sacks from a complete stranger I met at a municipal meeting completed my vision.

The addition of a checker board atop a barrel to invoke that iconic image of two 'old boys' playing draughts or 'checkers' or even chess in an old fashioned General Store was the inspiration of another House volunteer, Carol. A third volunteer, Debbie, loaned us her checkerboard and voilà! The scene is set.

Our little 'corner shop cupboard' has sachets, jams, more tin House ornaments,  bullseye glass and also small wooden Houses and notecards with an image of the House. Both of these latter items were made for the House by the late Francis Ace; his son and daughter in law own Laceyville Hardware and donated many beautiful items for the exhibit, too. 

Of course, copies of my book A RIVER IN TIME that is inspired by and set at The Oldest House, are also on offer, and I am donating my royalties to the House. If I happen to be staffing the House when visitors stop by and they wish to have their copy signed, I am always happy to do that.

So you see the 1836 General Store really has come to life! 

I continue to be amazed by the willingness of the community to help. When I spoke up at municipal meetings or just in general conversation and asked if anyone had any big old barrels or burlap sacks, or any other items that might fit in with the display, folks I didn't know were happy to say, 'yes, I'll help.' I do think, though, that they thought I was a bit odd to be so excited about an old wine barrel (and two big, beautiful old tins, too) or empty burlap or flour sacks. It doesn't matter: as long as they stop by the House this open season and check out their contributions to the exhibit.

A lot of the items in our 1836 Store were sourced from The Oldest House itself, too: it's remarkable what you can find if you just go looking for it!

We open our 2013 Season NEXT WEEKEND May 17,18,19 with A SIMPLER THYME. We will have potted herb plants for sale (proceeds, of course, go to the House), and the entire House will be open with all displays and exhibits finished and ready for inspection. Our 30-some antique and vintage quilts are also displayed throughout the House, and be sure to check out the bedrooms and our re-vamped Historical Clothing exhibit on the top floor! We will even have refreshments available: I think Debbie is planning one of her usual delicious light repasts, so visitors will have plenty of reason to stick around, visit and enjoy the House.

I'll be on staff both the 17th and 18th, giving tours, and sharing the wonderful history and heritage of the House and all who have lived in and cared for it. Please join me, if you can, and 'Come Back in Time With Us©' at The Oldest House, Old Main Street, Laceyville, PA 18623.

A General Store in 1836

     I spent most of my morning today back in 1836, starting to set up the display for the '1836 General Store' which will occupy the front room of The Oldest House during the 2013 Open Season. Our Opening Weekend is May 17-19 when we have A SIMPLER THYME, so there's not too much time left until the display has to be done.
     (A SIMPLER THYME is an herb sale and quilt display of the 40+ antique quilts owned by the House. Proceeds from the sales of the herbs go to the House.)
     It's a good thing we got the upstairs organized during the winter months, when we were closed.

     So this morning, with a few more items donated by Laceyville Hardware, I tackled setting up the Store, at least as I envision it.
     I clearly saw one corner with hides and skins of various sorts, and large barrels, and maybe a gun, powder horn, and similar items. Handmade nails might have been for sale, as well as other tools. Possibly the Eel Fork or Spear owned by the House will find its way into this corner of the 'Store.' It would certainly have been a useful item for someone living near the Susquehanna to own, as eels were plentiful and frequently featured cooked, salted or pickled, as a meal choice.

     That's a pepper tin on the left, loaned by the Cappucci family of nearby Mehoopany. The smaller brown container without a lid is a salt barrel. The barrel that the bear head is resting on is an old wine barrel, also from the Cappuccis. And the bearskin is from Lori Phinney Mislevy and her family.
     In another section on built-in shelves in this room, I thought fabric and things one might use in a home would look good: dishes, candlesticks, etc. Lanterns, oil lamps and other types of small home furnishings would have stocked the shelves, as well as rugs, and rug beaters. A lot of these items I sourced from The Oldest House itself, but other active Members have pitched in and brought candle molds, lanterns, crocks and jugs.
     Back in 1836, especially way out here in a relatively unsettled area of Pennsylvania, a General Store would have sold things like flour, sugar, salt, and pepper, and maybe some spices too. Most people would have grown their own herbs, but more exotic items and things that could not be grown here, like black pepper, salt, ginger and cinnamon, would likely have been carried by a General Store. So too, most people would have grown their own flowers and vegetables and saved the seeds from year to year to sow again. However, a small selection of seeds might have been offered.

     Local farmers could have had eggs, cheese, cream and milk to sell, although most people probably had a milk cow and some chickens and so would have their own dairy products.
     Books would have been a special order, but a General Store would likely carry quills and ink. They might also have the latest newspaper--which would probably be at least a week old! And no General Store would have been complete without a small group of oddly shaped and colored bottles and vials: the tinctures and cures of the day, possibly sold on consignment for an itinerant peddler.
     Pins, needles, ribbon and other sewing paraphernalia including patterns would have been available, too. There might even have been 'penny candy.'
     We have one cupboard filled with House related or House themed items for sale: wooden Houses originally carved by the late Francis Ace, note cards with a sketch of the House, postcards of the House, hand painted engraved tin ornaments of the House, and my book A RIVER IN TIME, which is set at and inspired by the House. All proceeds from the sale of these items--including my book!--go to the House. One corner of our '1836 General Store' features all these items and more for sale, so visitors this year will be able to actually buy something in our '1836 General Store.'
     I've got more to do yet and a few more items to collect, not only from my own house, but from members of the community who have offered items for the display.
     However, I hope the photos, above, give you an idea of what one of our new exhibits will look like this year. And I hope you make a trip to The Oldest House to discover Wyoming County's historical treasure.
     The schedule of events for 2013 is below. I am usually there on Friday afternoons, so I look forward to meeting you, and giving you a tour!

The Oldest House

2013 Event Schedule

‘Come Back in Time With Us’©

A Simpler Thyme- herb sale, quilt exhibit 17,18,19May-10-5;10-5;1-5

Susquehanna Celebration- river themed events & talks

21,22,23 June- 1-5;10-5;1-5

Music with the Morrisons- a musical weekend

19,20,21 July -1-4&7-9;10-9;1-5

Art at the Oldest House-art sales, exhibits & more

16,17,18 August - 1-4;10-5;1-5

Muzzleloaders’ Rendezvous -early american outdoor life & weaponry, artifacts, displays & demonstrations

5 & 6 October - 10-5 both days

***Held at Black Walnut Legion

The Fancy Fair - varied selection of antiques, collectibles, artwork, and hand crafted gifts; bake sale

18 & 19 October - 9-5 both days

The Christmas Tea-an early american christmas on all three decorated floors

6,7,8 December - 4-8;10-5;12-5

Light refreshments available at all events; lunch available at the Fancy Fair & Muzzleloaders’ Rendezvous.

The Oldest House is a living museum owned and operated by the Laceyville Area Oldest House Society, a not for profit 501(c)(3), and is supported solely by donations and GENEROUS GIFTS FROM THE COMMUNITY. OUR STAFF IS ALL VOLUNTEER.