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A Poem, A Song, A National Treasure

3/3/2016

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A Story of . . .
American history, needlework, conservation efforts, music, and poetry
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Watercolor and pencil on paper

The Star-Spangled Banner
National Museum of American History
Free Admission
Open every day except 12/25
National Anthem Day
It was during the War of 1812, that Major George Armistead commissioned the making of two over-sized flags to fly over Fort McKinley in Baltimore, Maryland.

As anticipated, the fort was attacked by the British, and when it was over, the smaller storm flag, though damaged, signaled the fort remained under American control. The following morning, the larger garrison flag was raised in its place. That flag is what we now know as The Star-Spangled Banner.

Poet Francis Scott Key saw the garrison flag flying over the fort the morning after the attack and was inspired to write “The Defence of Fort McKinley.” The poem would be set to music and become our national anthem.

Today the flag is missing one star and measures 30x34 feet, down six inches in length from its original 30x40 feet, diminished by keepsake clippings.

Housed at the National Museum of American History the flag is conserved in a sophisticated exhibit that controls light, temperature, and moisture.

It’s a fascinating artifact that touches on American history, sewing (the flags were commissioned and cost just over $400), conservation, music, and poetry.

This is a Calendar of Days post:  National Anthem Day



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More Than a Pigeon Perch

2/15/2016

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Statues are identifying landmarks in cities and towns across the country, but what's the story behind them? Were were curious about The Hiker in Portland, Maine. After some research: a poster and essay. Here's what we found:
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More Than a Pigeon Perch:
The Hiker

Although The Hiker is larger than life and perched on a six-foot pedestal, this Spanish-American War veterans memorial on the north lawn of Deering Oaks Park is easy to overlook.
    
But do look—it’s a beautiful statue.

From the soldier’s wadded and rolled sleeves to the leather satchel reminiscent of today’s messenger bag, the details are captivating.

The Hiker is sculptor Theo A.R. Kitson’s most well-known work—at least 50 copies of the statue are installed across the country.
    
When the USS Maine anchored in Havana Harbor exploded and sank (on this day, February 15, 1898), it became a catalyst for the conflict that would follow. Under the rallying cry “Remember the Maine,” the Spanish-American War secured Cuba’s independence from Spain and remains one of the shortest wars on record. But that’s only the beginning.
    
Dig a little deeper and fascinating tales of science, circumstance, and cowboys emerge. For it was during the Spanish-American War that army medical scientist Dr. Walter Reed isolated the cause and stemmed the transmission of yellow fever plaguing the troops; eager journalists and competing publishing magnates gave rise to the dirty business of yellow journalism; and Teddy Roosevelt’s volunteer militia, The Rough Riders, found glory.
    
It was a short war, but a war with a decidedly jaundice pallor.
Where Is The Hiker?
From Maine to Utah to Tennessee, there are some 50 copies of The Hiker across the United States. Is there one in your town? 
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Skyscrapers - Reaching for the Stars

9/2/2015

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Chrysler Building, NYC
Today is Skyscraper Day.

From the Chrysler Building to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, engineers and architects continue to reach for the stars.

Steel along with elevators are key ingredients. Afterall, who would (or even could) climb all those stairs. And the windows! It takes 3 months to clean all of the 24,000 windows of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the worlds tallest (at 2,722') skyscraper. Once they are done, they start all over again.

Watch a video of how it's done here.

Striking photos of the world's skyscrapers can be seen here, each with a pull-down menu of fact and figures.

Caution, just watching or looking may cause vertigo!
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Where's Waldo?  No, We're Looking for The Hiker!

8/25/2015

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In the latest edition of Pursuits magazine, our feature "More Than a Pigeon Perch," takes a look at this local landmark, The Hiker, a statue by Theo A.R. Kitson.

It's a monument to the Spanish American War fought in Cuba . . . from the conflict itself ("Remember the Maine") to questionable journalism, Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders, and medical breakthrough, it's layered with meaning.

You may have heard of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, but do you know who Dr. Walter Reed was? This statue holds a clue.

At least 50 copies of The Hiker were cast and are located around the country.* We're looking for the others. This one is in Portland, Maine, is there one in your community? Post a comment and let us know.

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*Because all 50 copies of The Hiker were cast by the same foundry and placed in different areas of the country, the statues are being examined for the effects of air pollution and climate based on location.
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"Give me liberty, or give me death." / L = Letter Opener

4/14/2015

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When Patrick Henry, Revolutionary War activist and politician, made a call to arms against Britain, he grabbed a letter opener, thrust it toward his chest and delivered his well-known line, "Give me liberty, or give me death." Very effective.

My collection of letter openers comes from antique shops and yard sales, and often feature personal engravings or business logos. A surprising selection (though far less ornate) are available at office supply stores, while stationery stores and boutiques offer a selections with more character, like this one we found at Izola.

The ABCs of Letter Writing / L= Letter Opener

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COLLECTING [Three for Thursday]: Keys

11/6/2014

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Unlocking a Bit of History
It was a blustery Saturday that sent us inside a local  craft fair where we found not only new crafts for sale, but tables stacked with second-hand goods.

On one table we found two small boxes holding about 100 keys. The keys, we were told, were from the "Mother House," a former convent located on the grounds where the crafts fair was being held.

The Mother House? Well of course we wanted to know more.

The woman behind the table pointed us across the room to Sister Maria.

Sister Maria not only knew what the keys were for, she had at one time, lived in the convent. The keys, she said, were from the living quarters and lockers, and a few (like the pointed key second from left) were for clocks in the building.

No longer home to the nuns, the convent is being sold along with the keys, and with it goes a bit of history. Knowing where the keys came from makes this collection a bit more valuable because we have provenance: the history of ownership.

Do you have a collection with an interesting story of provenance?

We'd love to hear it, make a comment and tell us about it!
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