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Unnamed Figures: Black Presence and Absence in the Early American North
May 1, 2024 - 9:30 AM - August 4, 2024 - 4:30 PMFlynt Center of Early New England Life (+ Google Map)
Image: Joseph Shoemaker Russell (American, 1795-1860). Dining Room of Abraham Russell, New Bedford, c. 1840s. Watercolor on paper, 6.5 x 9 in. (16.5 x 22.9 cm.) New Bedford Whaling Museum, Gift of Mrs. Edward K. Simpson, 1962.4.13. Image courtesy of the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
Coming to Historic Deerfield in May, 2024! Unnamed Figures: Black Presence and Absence in the Early American North will be on view at Historic Deerfield’s Flynt Center from May 1 to August 4, 2024.
As a corrective to histories that define slavery and anti-Black racism as a largely Southern issue, this exhibition offers a new window onto Black representation in a region that is often overlooked in narratives of early African American history.
Through 125 remarkable works including paintings, needlework, and photographs, this exhibition invites visitors to focus on figures who appear in—or are omitted from—early American images and will challenge conventional narratives that have minimized early Black histories in the North, revealing the complexities and contradictions of the region’s history between the late 1600s and early 1800s.
Vermont Furniture from the Alley Collection
May 1, 2024 - 9:30 AM - November 30, 2026 - 4:30 PM
Vermont Furniture from the Alley Collection features an impressive array of 18th and 19th-century Vermont furniture recently donated to Historic Deerfield by collectors William and Patricia Passmore Alley. The exhibition highlights both published and unpublished material from the Alleys’ collection, showing how these objects reveal varied techniques and ornament as well as the characteristics of the environment in which they were made. Many examples in the exhibit retain their vibrant, original surfaces and are organized according to their decoration: solid and highly figured native wood, painted wood, ornamental painting on metal and glass, and veneer and inlay.
Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration featuring Pickled Oysters
May 4, 2024 - 9:00 AM - May 4, 2024 - 4:30 PM
Come to the kitchen in Hall Tavern where we will pickle oysters and put them in a reproduction oyster jar made by Mark Shapiro and inspired by one designed by Thomas W Commeraw, a free Black potter of early New York. This event is part of the Unnamed Figures opening celebration.
Wilson Printing Office with Printer-in-Residence Martin Antonetti
May 4, 2024 - 9:00 AM - May 4, 2024 - 4:30 PM
Several printed pieces will be on display in the exhibition and Martin Antonetti will demonstrate printing. Visitors will be able to take away and complete their own printed pamphlet. This event is part of the Unnamed Figures opening celebration.
Powder Horn Carving Demonstration by Laurie McCarthy
May 4, 2024 - 9:00 AM - May 4, 2024 - 4:30 PMHistoric Deerfield (+ Google Map)
Laurie McCarthy is an artist and reenactor. She will demonstrate powder horn carving and incorporate a design from a horn attributed to John Bush, an African American carver from Shrewsbury, MA. This event is part of the Unnamed Figures opening celebration.
Stoneware Pottery Demonstration by Mark Shapiro
May 4, 2024 - 9:00 AM - May 4, 2024 - 4:30 PM
Mark Shapiro has done extensive research on Thomas W. Commeraw, a free Black potter of early New York. Shapiro will be demonstrating some of Commeraw’s decorative techniques. This event is part of the Unnamed Figures opening celebration.
Opening Celebration! Unnamed Figures: Black Presence and Absence in the Early American North
May 4, 2024 - 9:30 AM - May 4, 2024 - 4:30 PMHistoric Deerfield (+ Google Map)
Image: Artist Unidentified. Woman in Striped Dress and Man with Plaid Bowtie. Burns Collection & Archive. As a corrective to histories that define slavery and anti-Black racism as a largely Southern issue, this exhibition offers a new window onto Black representation in a region that is often overlooked in narratives of early African American history. […]
Family Program – Swirls and Swags: Fun with Ceramic Designs
May 4, 2024 - 10:00 AM - June 30, 2024 - 4:30 PMHistory Workshop (+ Google Map)
Play at the History Workshop and explore the work of Thomas Commeraw, a free Black potter of early New York whose ceramics are featured in the Unnamed Figures Exhibition at the Flynt Center. Come learn about his work and decorate a small clay pot inspired by his designs! This is a family program at the […]
Historic Trade Demonstration: The Doctor is In!
May 11, 2024 - 9:00 AM - May 11, 2024 - 4:30 PMHistoric Deerfield (+ Google Map)
Image: HD 2001.6 May 11th at Historic Deerfield. Jack Richman portrays an early 19th-century country doctor. Included with Museum Admission.
Measure and Mix: Reading Old Recipes
May 11, 2024 - 9:30 AM - May 25, 2024 - 4:00 PMHall Tavern (+ Google Map)
May 11 and 25 in the Hall Tavern Kitchen from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Old cookbooks vary in the kind of information and instruction given to create a satisfying dish. How much is a “teacup of flour,” or “butter the size of a walnut?’ What is “a considerable amount of water?” Come and visit […]
New Program! Natural History Walk Around Old Deerfield
May 12, 2024 - 10:00 AM - June 9, 2024 - 11:30 AMHistoric Deerfield (+ Google Map)
May 12 and June 9 at 10 a.m. Take a guided walk around Old Deerfield! Come for a fun morning of looking and discovering. See what’s in bloom in the Cooks’ Garden. Are there any wildflowers popping up around town? Observe the busy chipmunks and squirrels dashing around and see if you can find any […]
Wooly Wonders – Heritage Breed Sheep Weekend
May 18, 2024 - 10:00 AM - May 19, 2024 - 4:00 PM
Join us for a celebration of rare, historic and adorable heritage breed sheep, textiles, and wool-processing in New England. See heritage breeds of sheep as well as demonstrations, craft activities, and games.
Redware Pottery with Rick Hamelin
May 25, 2024 - 9:00 AM - May 25, 2024 - 4:30 PMHistoric Deerfield (+ Google Map)
Join Rick Hamelin in a Historic Trade Demonstration of Redware Pottery on May 25th. Included with Museum Admission.
Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration: In Season Now
June 1, 2024 - 8:00 AM - June 29, 2024 - 5:00 PM
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. at Hall Tavern The month of June begins with the end of asparagus season and the promise of sweet strawberries. By the end of the month, the herb garden will be bursting with color, fresh herbs, and edible flowers to flavor favorite recipes. The dishes this […]
Silversmithing with Steve Smithers
June 1, 2024 - 9:00 AM - June 1, 2024 - 4:30 PM
Join Steve Smithers for a Historic Trade Demonstration of Silversmithing on June 1.
Dressmaking with Linda Oakley and Shoemaking with Peter Oakley
June 8, 2024 - 9:00 AM - June 8, 2024 - 4:30 PMHistoric Deerfield (+ Google Map)
Visit Historic Deerfield on June 8 for two Historic Trade Demonstrations: Dressmaking with Linda Oakley and Shoemaking with Peter Oakley.
Gunsmithing with Richard Colton
June 15, 2024 - 9:00 AM - June 15, 2024 - 4:30 PMHistoric Deerfield (+ Google Map)
Historic Trade Demonstration: Gunsmithing with Richard Colton
Music for Juneteenth
June 20, 2024 - 7:00 PM - June 20, 2024 - 9:00 PMDeerfield Community Center (+ Google Map)
June 20 at 7 p.m. at the Deerfield Community Center Join us for an evening of music in observance of the Juneteenth holiday, emceed by Tim Eriksen. Additional details coming soon!
Bobbin Lace with Lynne White and Ceramics with Buster White
June 22, 2024 - 9:30 AM - June 22, 2024 - 4:30 PMHistoric Deerfield (+ Google Map)
June 22 Historic Trade Demonstration: Bobbin Lace with Lynne White and Ceramics with Buster White.
Family Fun Day! Fun with Flowers
June 22, 2024 - 11:00 AM - June 22, 2024 - 3:00 PMHistoric Deerfield (+ Google Map)
June 22 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Celebrate summer and see what’s in season as you explore Historic Deerfield’s gardens and grounds. In the month of June, our Hearth Cooking theme “In Season Now” emphasizes fresh herbs and edible flowers. The gardens will be filled with flowering plants that are edible, flavorful, useful, and beautiful. […]
Dublin Seminar 2024 – Into the Woods: New England Forests in Fact and Imagination
June 28, 2024 - 8:00 AM - June 29, 2024 - 5:00 PMHistoric Deerfield (+ Google Map)
The Dublin Seminar for New England Folklife (founded in 1976) is pleased to announce the subject of its 2024 gathering, Into the Woods: New England Forests in Fact and Imagination, to be held at Historic Deerfield June 28-29, 2024.
Woodworking with Sharon Mehrman
June 29, 2024 - 9:00 AM - June 29, 2024 - 4:30 PM
June 29: Join Sharon Mehrman for a Historic Trade Demonstration on Woodworking.