The Alvin H. Morrison Collection
By Julia Clark, Curator of Collections
In 2011, anthropologist and historian Alvin H. Morrison
donated his collection of Native American material to the Abbe Museum.
This small but wonderful collection includes pieces from both Wabanaki and
neighboring communities, as well as several objects from further afield. Dr.
Morrison, who graduated from Dartmouth
College and received his PhD from University of Buffalo,
worked with Wabanaki communities in Maine and
eastern Canada,
including working as a consultant on the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act case.
He taught at SUNY-Fredonia for much of his career, but continued to focus his
research on the Wabanaki. Upon his retirement in 1992, he returned to his home
state of Maine, where he continues to research
and write, with a focus on the contact and early interactions between Europeans
and Native Americans in Maine.
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| Note card illustrating the “The Legend of the Tidal Bore,”
in which Lobster battles Eel to return the fish to the river, creating a tidal bore that occurs twice a day to this day. Design and legend by Michael Francis. Screen printed by Micmac Indian Craftsmen, Big Cove Reserve, Kent Co., N.B. |
The Wabanaki pieces from Dr. Morrison’s collection begin to
fill a gap in the Abbe’s collection, representing objects made for sale during
the 1960s and 1970s. And of course, since they were collected by an
anthropologist, most of the pieces have a detailed provenance, recording when
and where they were acquired, and who made them. Baskets, root clubs,
moccasins, a model canoe and wigwam, are among the well-documented pieces from
a part of the 20th century not well represented in our collections.
Two really special gems in the collections deserve a little
more attention. One is a set of figures
showing the various stages of making a basket. These were created by Dr.
Morrison working with colleagues at SUNY-Fredonia, where he was a professor of
anthropology. They were made for an exhibit titled “Crafts of the Maliseet
Indians.” Slightly modified military action figures are position with
scaled-down tools and materials, presenting a wonderful visual interpretation
of the basketmaking process. These pieces have wonderful interpretive and
educational potential, and we look forward to using them in exhibits and
educational programs.
A second real treasure in the Alvin H. Morrison collection
is a collection of screen-printed note cards made by Mi’kmaq craftspeople from
the Elsipogtog First Nation (Big Cove Reserve) in New Brunswick, Canada.
The cards were made in the late 1960s and early 1970s, many using designs created
by Mi’kmaq artist Michael Francis, and they illustrate a variety of Mi’kmaq
stories and legends. Like the basketmaking figures, these begin to fill a major
gap in the Abbe’s collection- two-dimensional artwork by Wabanaki artists. They
are visually stunning, and document and important creative and economic venture
among First Nations communities in Canada at this time.
Collections staff and volunteers at the Abbe are in the
process of completing the detailed cataloging of this collection, so expect to
hear more about it in the future!
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| Shaving the splints, from "Crafts of the Maliseet Indians" exhibit at SUNY-Fredonia, 1970 |
Images:
Shaving the splints, from “Crafts of the Maliseet Indians”
exhibit at SUNY-Fredonia, 1970
Note card illustrating the “The Legend of the Tidal Bore,”
in which Lobster battles Eel to return the fish to the river, creating a tidal
bore that occurs twice a day to this day. Design and legend by Michael Francis.
Screen printed by Micmac Indian Craftsmen, Big Cove Reserve, Kent Co., N.B
Other News & Events for April
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| Next up at the Abbe: Pam Cunningham will teach children ages 6-18 how to weave a simple ash basket with a sweetgrass rim. |
Up next is a children's workshop led by Penobscot basketmaker Pam Cunningham. The workshop is for ages 6-18 and registration is required. Contact Raney Bench for more information, or to register for this workshop.
Other events and demonstrations will follow soon thereafter, so make sure to mark your calendar now!
There are also a number of upcoming Wabanaki events that are open to the public. The following links are a sample of some upcoming activities and recent articles that may interest you. Know of more? Feel free to post them on our Facebook page!
The University of Maine at Farmington Living Language Series Events Set article in the Morning Sentinel
7 pm Tuesday, April 10
“Living Languages: Language Keepers –
an Evening of Native Stories and Language” with Roger Paul,
Passamaquoddy/Maliseet language keeper and educator and Jesse Cruchac, Abenaki
language keeper and author
...and many more!Exhibit at the Boston's Children's Museum Native Voices: New England Tribal Families
Exhibit at the Hudson Museum Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry on exhibit through May 2012 before traveling to the Abbe Museum
Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry Panel Discussion by artists Jeremy Frey, George Neptune, and Sarah Sockbeson moderated by Darren Ranco, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Coordinator of Native American Research, University of Maine on Tuesday, April 10 from 12:30 - 1:45 at the Hudson Museum
Sponsor Team Penobscot's run in the 2012 Boston Marathon to help bring the Penobscot River Restoration Project to life. Learn more here.
Congratulations to Penobscot artist Tim Shay for being named as one of the eight artists to participate in this year's Schoodic Sculpture Symposium. Read the story in the Bangor Daily News.
MIBA Events
Next Up: The Native American Festival and Basketmakers Market in Bar Harbor on July 7th
See Twisted Path II before it's gone!
By Hannah Whalen, Director of Development
Twisted Path II, which opened in October 2011, will close at the end of the day Saturday, April 14, 2012. Five Wabanaki artists succeeded in pushing the boundaries of what is thought of as traditional methods and materials and by adding their own twist to these pieces, these artists made their audience think "out of the box."
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| Tony McKim and Steven Parady from The First, sponsor of the exhibit, pause to admire George Neptune's sculptural basket. |
George Neptune had us believing that a basket of woven ash
and sweetgrass was a chocolate wedding cake. Rhonda Besaw captured her dream in
the delicate beadwork sewn onto a purple velvet purse. Leon Sockbeson brought his high-fashion
drawings to life in silk and wool, beaded with traditional double curves; Sarah
Sockbeson’s tightly woven ash and sweetgrass baskets with delicately hand-painted
lids and vibrant colors were very popular and Max Romero’s powerful plaster
installation, Assimilation Revisited,
inspired, upset and delighted guests. We can’t wait for Twisted Path III!
To learn more about the exhibit and the artists, please visit our website.
This exhibit was made possible in part by The First and The Fisher Charitable Foundation, with special thanks to Gerry Biron, Diane E. Edgecomb, Indian Township Museum, and Nicholas Halsdorff.
A Weekend of Storytelling & Art!
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| Abenaki Artist Rick Hunt will lead the Dancing with Pen workshops this weekend at the Abbe Museum. |
Rick Hunt is an accomplished pen and ink artist who has also co-curated two contemporary art exhibitions at the Abbe Museum. The first, Twisted Path: Native American Artists Walking in Two Worlds was exhibited from December 2008 through January 2010, and was such a success that it was followed in November of 2011 by Twisted Path II: Contemporary Native American Art Informed by Tradition. About the Twisted Path series Rick has said:
"I am always impressed by how functional pieces can move toward decorative and purposeful design. In this show, it is evident that the pieces reflect a movement away from tradition and become a reflection of the artists' own personal psychology. There are beautiful ash baskets and a Pop Art-type beaded bag, and even contemporary fashion design evolving from traditional northeast Native clothing.
When
the first Twisted Path show was conceived, through a technicolor
dream of mine, it was envisioned as an exhibit that would highlight
the idea of the Native artist evolving and often struggling in this
Westernized society. Questions about Native identity, spirituality,
art, and traditions emerged. What was illustrated by that first show,
and this one, is that Native people and our culture are very much alive
and well and here to stay."
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| Join the Laughing Couple Duo on Sunday March 11 for art & fun! |
Then, from 11:00am- noon on Sunday, March 11, 2012, Rick and his wife, Carolyn Hunt, Abenaki, will perform a combination of traditional Abenaki storytelling and illustration in the Abbe Museum's Circle of Four Directions. Carolyn will share stories, while Rick illustrates them as a live performance with input from the audience. This performance is free open to the public.
We hope you'll join us for these exciting programs!
These programs are made possible through the generous support of the Lynam Trust. Thank you!
Enduring Legacies
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| A sweetgrass basket woven by Theresa Secord in 2000, now in the collections of the Abbe Museum. |
On Thursday, March 15th Theresa Secord, Penobscot Basketmaker and Executive Director of the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance (MIBA), will present a talk entitled Enduring Legacies as the final installment of the Abbe's three-part Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series. This year's Brown Bag Lunch Series has centered around our current major exhibition Indians & Rusticators: Wabanakis and Summer Visitors on Mount Desert Island, 1840s - 1920s. In
this final lecture of the 2012 series, Theresa will explore the
basketmaking traditions that continued in Wabanaki families after the "rusticator era" and up to the present day. Her talk will also include some highlights from Theresa's 20 years as the Executive Director for MIBA.
In Enduring Legacies, Theresa has shared that she will discuss "how
MIBA not only saved Maine Indian basketry, but also helped to launch
the next generation of artists into the national spotlight," noting
that, "recently, one MIBA artist reached the top of the Indian art world
and is being recognized as among the finest artists in the US today."
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| Theresa Secord at the opening of Indians & Rusticators, pictured by the "Wabanaki Today" display where she is featured as a contemporary voice. |
Theresa Secord has received much recognition for her work, including being named by Maine Arts Commission as the 2011 Traditional Arts Fellow. You can learn more about Theresa's work by following these links:
This hour-long program will take place in the Abbe's Community Gallery. Visitors are welcome to bring lunch and participate in this informative and casual discussion. This
year's brown bag lunch series, made possible by a grant from Lynam
Trust, is designed to complement the Abbe's major exhibit Indians
and Rusticators: Wabanakis and Summer Visitors on Mount Desert Island
1840s-1920s, by exploring what happened next (after 1920). The lecture is free an open to the public...see you there!
Celebrate Women's History!
Celebrate
Wabanaki women's history during Women's History Month! Later this
month Curator of Education, Raney Bench, will lead a talk highlighting
prominent Wabanaki women in Maine, historic and contemporary, and their
contributions to their tribal communities and the state. This exciting
talk will be hosted by the Southwest Harbor Public Library on Thursday,
March 22 from 6:00 - 7:00 and is free and open to the public.
Can't
join us for this special presentation? No worries! There are some
great resources to help you learn more. Here is a sample of just a
few...
Books:
- Women of the Dawn by Bunny McBride
- Molly Spotted Elk by Bunny McBride
- In the Shadow of the Eagle by Donna M. Loring
- Out of the Depths by Isabelle Knockwood
- Princess Watahwaso: Bright Star of the Penobscot by Bunny McBride (also a 2011 exhibition at the Abbe Museum, titled Aunt Lu: The Story of Princess Watahwaso guest curated by the Penobscot Cultural and Historic Preservation Department)
- Florence Nicolar Shay: Penobscot Basketmaker and Tribal Advocate by Kate Kennedy
- Song of Rita Joe: Autobiography of a Mi'kmaq Poet
- Prayers, Poems, & Pathways by ssipsis
Children's Books
- Malian's Song by Marge Bruchac
- Muskrat will be Swimming by Cheryl Savageau
Past eNews Articles: (click on the titles to follow the links)
- The Gabriel Women: A Family Tradition
- Rhonda Frey: A Gift Remembered
- Abbe Museum Women: Mary Cabot Wheelwright and Fannie Hardy Eckstorm
More recommended resources can be found on our Educator's Resources page.
Little Effort...Big Rewards!
If interested, please respond to Debby Messer, Astra or Nora, and we'll add you to our list. We'll simply send you an email requesting donations a few weeks before each event, and you can let us know if you can help. Foods and beverages are needed one hour before the event, and we like to tell the public, on our new fold over cards, some of the ingredients in the food. Please also label your dishware if you intend to leave it for later pick-up. As a final contribution, if you are attending an event for which you are donating food, come early to help set-up or stay late to help clean-up, and the staff will love you even more!
If you are interested in other volunteer opportunities, please contact us so that we can send you our volunteer newsletter listing upcoming volunteer opportunities at the Abbe Museum.Other News & Events for March
There is always something happening at the Abbe, and this winter is no exception! Please visit our online calendar for more details.
If you are a teacher, consider joining us for the 2012 Wabanaki Initiative Free Teacher's Workshop, made possible by a grant from the Maine Community Foundation. This all-day workshop is worth 7 contact hours, and is designed to enhance understanding about topics and resources related to the Wabanaki and Maine Learning Results. For more information or to register, contact our Curator of Education, Raney Bench.
Other events and demonstrations will follow soon thereafter, so make sure to mark your calendar now!
There are also a number of upcoming Wabanaki events that are open to the public. The following links are a sample of some upcoming activities and recent articles that may interest you. Know of more? Feel free to post them on our Facebook page!
CONGRATULATIONS! to Jeremy Frey, Frances Frey Tomah, and Jennifer Sapiel Neptune for their recent awards at the 54th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market
Abbe Re-Opens for Remainder of Winter article in FenceViewer
The University of Maine at Farmington Living Language Series Events Set article in the Morning Sentinel
Some of the events scheduled include...
Penobscot Nation Receives $1M Federal Grant Toward Wind Development Project in the Bangor Daily News
Exhibit at the Boston Children's Museum Native Voices: New England Tribal Families
Exhibit at the Hudson Museum Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry on exhibit through May 2012 before traveling to the Abbe Museum
Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry Panel Discussion by artists Jeremy Frey, George Neptune, & Sarah Sockbeson moderated by Darren Ranco, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Coordinator of Native American Research, University of Maine on Tuesday, April 10 from 12:30 - 1:45 at the Hudson Museum
MIBA Events
Tribes of the Dawn Land Cultural and Heritage Days for 2012
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| This year's annual free workshop for teachers will take place on Monday, March 26. |
Other events and demonstrations will follow soon thereafter, so make sure to mark your calendar now!
There are also a number of upcoming Wabanaki events that are open to the public. The following links are a sample of some upcoming activities and recent articles that may interest you. Know of more? Feel free to post them on our Facebook page!
CONGRATULATIONS! to Jeremy Frey, Frances Frey Tomah, and Jennifer Sapiel Neptune for their recent awards at the 54th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market
Abbe Re-Opens for Remainder of Winter article in FenceViewer
The University of Maine at Farmington Living Language Series Events Set article in the Morning Sentinel
Some of the events scheduled include...
11:45 am, Wednesday, March 14:
“Environmental Justice and the Penobscot River” presented by Barry Dana
“Environmental Justice and the Penobscot River” presented by Barry Dana
7 pm Tuesday, April 10
“Living Languages: Language Keepers –
an Evening of Native Stories and Language” with Roger Paul,
Passamaquoddy/Maliseet language keeper and educator and Jesse Cruchac, Abenaki
language keeper and author
...and many more!Penobscot Nation Receives $1M Federal Grant Toward Wind Development Project in the Bangor Daily News
Exhibit at the Boston Children's Museum Native Voices: New England Tribal Families
Exhibit at the Hudson Museum Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry on exhibit through May 2012 before traveling to the Abbe Museum
Transcending Traditions: The Next Generation and Maine Indian Basketry Panel Discussion by artists Jeremy Frey, George Neptune, & Sarah Sockbeson moderated by Darren Ranco, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Coordinator of Native American Research, University of Maine on Tuesday, April 10 from 12:30 - 1:45 at the Hudson Museum
MIBA Events
Tribes of the Dawn Land Cultural and Heritage Days for 2012
The Big Read
The Big Read is currently underway! Readers on Mount Desert Island, Frenchboro, Swans Island, Little Cranberry Island, Deer Isle, Stonington, and Isle au Haut have picked up their copies of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain and have participated in community-wide programs throughout the past month, thanks to a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts awarded to partner organizations Island Readers & Writers and the Northeast Harbor Library. The Abbe Museum has jumped on board for the fun, and Raney Bench, Curator of Education, has organized numerous public programs and events facilitating discussions of stereotyping surrounding the characterization of Native Americans in Twain's books. In The Adventures of Tom Sawyer these stereotypes are revealed through the portrayal of Injun Joe and his interactions with Tom and Huck.
As part of The Big Read, Raney has discussed these topics with both adults and children. She ran a program in Deer Isle for approximately 90 schoolchildren representing the third, fourth, and fifth grades. The stereotyping program for children this age begins with an activity designed to help create a safe learning environment in which stereotypes, a sometimes difficult topic, can be comfortably explored. The children are asked to share words that they have heard in association with Indians, and assured that by sharing these words it does not imply that they believe those ideas. The kids are generally shy at first and quickly warm up, filling a whiteboard with these terms. After a large list has been generated, the children walk though those stereotypes identifying which are positive, negative, and neutral as Raney simultaneously breaks the ideas down to dispel myths. At the end of the exercise, the children come to the conclusion that all stereotypes -- positive, negative and neutral -- are harmful because they prevent the ability to understand someone as an individual. After the exercise, students looked at the characterization of Indians in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, specifically Injun Joe, and discussed how Twain's bias towards Indians is reflected in his writings. These ideas were used as a base from which students then explored how life in Maine was different from Twain's stereotypes, looking closely at the interactions between Native and non-Native people.
A similar program will be presented later this month to a slightly older audience. Raney Bench will again travel to Deer Isle to present to the sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, and will this time be accompanied by historian and Abbe Museum Trustee, Bill Haviland. Raney will begin this program by presenting the notions people held about Indians at the time of Tom Sawyer's publication at the national level, including ideas that Indians were noble, savage, and a dying race. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer will be used as a platform to discuss how Mark Twain, as a contemporary of that time, represented his bias through his writings. Bill Haviland will then contrast those ideas with the relationship between the Wabanaki and other Mainers at that time, to illustrate the differences between the east and west. The perception of a frontier, the wild west, and the time period of Indian removal is also the era of the Abbe's blockbuster exhibit Indians & Rusticators, and together Raney & Bill will illustrate some of this local and national history.
College-aged students have also benefited from The Big Read programs, as Jan Coates, Director of Island Readers & Writers, and Raney Bench teamed up to present to students at College of the Atlantic. This presentation, made to a group of future-teachers, focused on how informal education partners can enhance learning for students. Raney and Jan used the model of The Big Read to illustrate opportunities for schools to link with various non-profit organizations in an effort to offer creative program initiatives.
If you are an adult wishing you had the opportunity to participate in these exciting programs then have no fear...If you haven't joined The Big Read yet, there is still time! A full calendar of programs can be found at the Island Readers & Writers website, and the Abbe Museum will be hosting these upcoming events, discussing the era of Mark Twain and the characterization of Native Americans during these programs:
Sunday, February 5, 2:00-3:30
Exhibit Tour of Indians & RusticatorsFriday, February 10, 6:00-7:30
A Closer Look at Injun Joe
New Acquisitions from the Frank T. Siebert Collection
The
Frank T. Siebert Collection, which had been on long-term loan to the
Abbe Museum for approximately 10 years, was withdrawn by the owner last
year, and put up for auction at Skinner Auctions in September 2011. A group
was formed, the Penobscot Material Culture Collaborative, to come up
with strategies and funds to save as much of the collection as possible
for the public trust and for the Penobscot Nation- to keep the
collection in public institutions and not lose it to private collections
and dealers. The Abbe provided a variety of support for the
collaborative, but did not have funds to offer for the effort at the
time.
Link to more information about the Frank T. Siebert Collection:
The
auction was not particularly successful, with many items selling at
well below their estimated value, and a number of lots not even reaching
their reserve. The Hudson Museum was able to purchase a variety of
lots, primarily lower cost lots with more
cultural/historical/interpretive value. A pool of funds from the
Penobscot Nation, the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance and the Bangor
Museum & Center for History was used to purchase one of the top
priority pieces, a woven basswood bark bag, which is now owned by MIBA
and stored and exhibited at the Hudson. The Maine State Museum went to
the auction with funds, but was unable to purchase their top priority
item.
A
month or so after the auction, the Maine State Museum was contacted by
the owner offering to sell any of the remaining lots directly, with the
sale handled by Skinner. They were able to purchase two important items
from the collection- a wampum collar and a set of wool leggings with
elaborate bead and ribbon work. The Abbe heard through MIBA and the
Hudson Museum that the remaining lots were being offered for sale, and
contacted Skinner to inquire. We offered amounts well below the auction
estimates, and with several very small adjustments, our offers were
accepted.
This
means that the large majority, if not all, of the Penobscot material
from the collection that remained unsold after the auction has now been
acquired by Maine museums and will come home to Maine, joining the
important acquisitions made during the auction.
While
we all regret that a number of very significant pieces from the
collection are now gone into private collections and no longer
accessible to the Penobscot Nation or the wider Maine community, many
pieces from the collection were saved for the public trust, and will
remain here in Maine, where they belong, accessible to the Penobscot
people, in perpetuity.
Click here to learn more about the Abbe Museum's acquisitions.
We are pleased to share this summary of the new acquisitions:
Lot 286, Red Stroud Leggings, mid-19th century
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| Lot 286, Red Stroud Leggins |
 | |
| Portrait of Francis Stanislaus in leggings |
These
leggings were part of the Stanislaus family regalia, passed down
through at least two generations. Probably made in the mid-19th century,
we see a young Francis wearing them in a studio portrait taken in the
later part of the century. The collar and cuffs were sold at the
September auction (to unknown buyers), but the pieces worn here as a
belt were acquired by the Maine State Museum. The Stanislaus family was
part of a small Penobscot community that lived most of the time in the
Lincoln, Maine area. They were among Siebert's key language informants.
Francis's father Stephen Stanislaus was governor of the Penobscot Nation
off and on during the 1870s and 1880s.
Lot 310, Sylvia Stanislaus medal
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| Lot 310, Sylvia Stanislaus medal |
 |
| Sylvia Stanislaus |
This
medal was given to Sylvia Stanislaus by the governor of Maine, Louis
Brann, on the occasion of her 100th birthday in 1936. Sylvia is shown in
the studio portrait to the right. The wampum collar seen in this photo
was acquired by the Maine State Museum.
Lot 322, Seven beaded cloth items
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| Lot 322, Seven beaded cloth items |
Frank
Siebert cultivated long-term friendships with his Native language
teachers. He commissioned the top five examples of beadwork from Lewis
Lolar (or Lola). He and his wife, Elizabeth, lived on Indian Island and
made baskets and beadwork. Mr. Lolar also served as Lt. Governor during
the 1930s. We do not have any provenance on the green piece at the
bottom. While not among the most aesthetically pleasing beadwork in the
Siebert Collection, their direct relationship to an important Penobscot
individual, and his important relationship with Siebert, make them
culturally and historically important.
Lot 293, Cradleboard hoop
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| Lot 293, Cradleboard hoop |
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| From Frank Speck |
This
cradleboard hoop's carvings hint at the elaborate scroll-work that
would be present on the board from which it came. This is a particularly
fine and well-executed example of late 19th - early 20th century
Penobscot carving. Unfortunately, we do not know what happened to the
rest of the cradleboard. This piece documents an important tradition of
fine woodcarving among Penobscot artisans that continues today with the
work of carvers such as Stan Neptune, Joe Dana, Richard Love and Eric
Sappier. The photo shows an example of a finely carved
cradleboard documented by Frank Speck in the early 20th century.
Lot 302, Band Box Basket, ca. 1865
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| Lot 302, Band Box Basket |
This
ash splint basket is a form created in the mid-19th century by Wabanaki
basketmakers to sell to non-Native customers. Penobscot basketmakers
were inspired by hat storage boxes to make storage baskets. They could
be stored beneath a high bed and were ideal for stagecoach and packet
travelers who desired a light, strong traveling trunk (Fannie Hardy
Eckstorm 1931). Some Wabanaki families put them to the same use. This
piece probably came from the Stanislaus family. At least two other band
box baskets from the collection were purchased by the Hudson Museum at
the September auction.
Lot 303, Shopper basket, by Joseph Gabriel, ca.1936
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| Lot 303. Shopper basket, by Joseph Gabriel, ca. 1936 |
This
basket, commonly referred to as a market or shopper basket, is an
extraordinarily well documented early 20th century ash splint basket.
While the Abbe Museum may have some comparable baskets, the fact that
the maker of this basket is known makes it quite important. Until the
1980s, basketmakers did not sign their work (some still hesitate to do
so), and so in the large majority of earlier baskets, the maker will
never be known. With a little additional research, we may well be able
to learn more about Joseph Gabriel and put a face with this basket.
Lot 321, Wooden items
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| Lot 321, Wooden Items |
The
three items in this lot represent a mix of Penobscot material culture.
The use and history of the wooden bowl is unknown, but it may have been
used to play a dice game similar to Waltes, where two-sided, disk-shaped
dice of bone or antler are placed in the bowl, the bowl is struck
against the floor/ground, and scoring is based on how many dice land on
each face of the disks. The cradleboard may be a rough reproduction made
for Siebert as part of his research, and does not appear to have been
used. The miniature snowshoes are typical "tourist art," a small-scale
version of a traditional Penobscot item that was sold to tourists and
visitors as a souvenir, or possibly as a toy.
Lot 298, Four birchbark items
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| Lot 298, Four birchbark items |
These
four objects are a mix of Wabanaki and other eastern Woodlands craft.
The birchbark dish and picture frame are typical "tourist art" forms of
the first part of the 20th century. Both are forms that are not
well-represented in the Abbe's collection, and useful to telling the
stories like those encountered in the Indians & Rusticators exhibit.
The two quilled boxes are not Wabanaki, but are from related groups.
The round box with the beaver on the lid was made by the Ojibwe of
Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron. There is actually a strong link between
the Ojibwe and the Wabanaki- Ojibwe origin stories tell of them moving
into the Great Lakes area from a land to the east next to the ocean,
where the Waban were left behind to defend the continent from a future
threat foretold in their stories, now believed to refer to the arrival
of Europeans. Ojibwe cultural and spiritual leaders have been working
with the Passamaquoddy over the last several years to better understand
the Machias Bay petroglyphs, as much of the symbolism has been
maintained in Ojibwe culture. The oval box is believed to be Odawa, a
related group, and both were likely made in the 1930s.
Lot 317, Four wooden clubs
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| Lot 317, Four wooden clubs |
While
two of the items in this lot, the ball headed clubs on the top and
bottom, are likely not Wabanaki, the other two items have educational
value for the Abbe. The upper middle piece is a genuine archaeological
stone ax/adz head that has been hafted onto a modern handle. While at
the Abbe, this piece has been used in the exhibit at Sieur de Mont to
show what a stone tool like this would look like when hafted to a
handle, which is often diffifult for our visitors to visualize when only
the stone is present. The lower middle piece is another piece of
"tourist art," a roughly made stone head lashed to a painted,
chip-carved handle with beaded fringe. The chip-carving on the handle is
Penobscot in style. Pieces such of this may have been popular souvenirs
for visitors to Indian Island or to the Wabanaki encampments on MDI and
around the state.
Lot 320, Seven hide items
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| Lot 320, Seven hide items |
While
several of these items are marginal to the Wabanaki, they have
educational value for the Abbe. Items made of animal hide (primarily
moose and deer) would have been common in traditional Wabanaki material
culture, but are poorly represented in our collection.
The
plain hide pouch to the left actually held the wampum pieces from the
collection when they arrived at the Abbe in 2001, so is quite likely
Penobscot. The two pairs of moccasins are Montagnais and were collected
at Lake St. John (Pointe Bleue), Quebec while Seibert was doing
linguistic research there. They are probably not all that different from
traditional Penobscot footwear. The fur pouch on the right is decorated
with dyed moosehair tufting, and is Huron. Women of the Huron-Wendat
village in Loretteville, Quebec had a long tradition of working with
moosehair as an embroidery material. Based on other examples in the
Siebert and other collections, Huron moosehair embroidery pieces were
sold at Native encampments in coastal Maine, either by Huron families
who traveled here, or by Wabanaki who traded for the items. The
parfleche in the middle is not traditional to the northeast, and is
clearly a later 20th century reproduction, again probably "tourist art."
The Abbe Museum welcomes Nora Miller, our new Event Coordinator!
I
am so pleased to be working with the Abbe Museum! As a born and raised
local, I have many fond memories of the Abbe from school visits to
summer camp excursions. I have hit the ground running in
these first few weeks learning my way around the facilities, getting to
know the fabulous staff and gathering information about past Abbe events
and our plans for this year. We have lots of exciting activities in store and I hope to see all of you at our upcoming functions!
Most recently I have been working with the Abbe team to organize the 2012 Spring Garden Tour which will take place at the W.P. Stewart Estate on June 2 & 9, 2012.
The Abbe is the fortunate beneficiary of this year's proceeds and we
have our work cut out for us in staffing and organizing this fun and
colorful event. If you would like to jumpstart your spring
and start dreaming with us of azaleas and sunshine then please do not
hesitate to call the museum and become a Garden Tour Volunteer.
Looking
for a unique and interesting setting for your next meeting, work
function, reception, party or wedding? Come visit the Abbe Museum as a
rental facility. Not only are you guaranteed to have a fabulous time,
but your use of the Abbe supports our mission and education program.
New Book by Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, Abbe CEO, now available!
Abbe Museum CEO and Maine museum leader, 
Cinnamon
Catlin-Legutko, is co-editor and chapter author of a new book series
for small museum professionals. In late December, a five-year project
became reality when the Small Museum Toolkit, published by AltaMira Press, an imprint of the Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, was released.
Conceived
during a marathon road trip to two back-to-back museum conferences,
co-editors Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko and Stacy Klingler tackled a dream to
produce practical how-to resources specifically geared for their small
museum colleagues. Partnering with dozens of authors, whose writings are spread over six books, the Small Museum Toolkit offers a launching point for small museum staff to pursue best practices and meet museum standards. These brief volumesaddress
governance, financial management, human resources, audience relations,
interpretation, and stewardship for small museums and historic sites.
The early reviews are exciting -
Finally,
a practical, easy to read book series designed specifically for staff
at small museums and historical societies! The Small Museum Toolkit will
be a welcome addition to small museum bookshelves everywhere.
- Scott Wands, Heritage Resource Center & Field Services Director, Connecticut Humanities Council
- Scott Wands, Heritage Resource Center & Field Services Director, Connecticut Humanities Council
Benjamin Ives Gilman described the most pleasant of museum visits as one in the company of someone who knows and loves the objects on view. Reading the Small Museum Toolkit is a bit like such a 'visit.' Each author serves as a knowledgeable guide helping the reader understand museum practices in the most pleasant way. The information in these pages is so approachable that I recommend it not only to museum staff and volunteers, but also museum board members.
-
Mary Alexander, Maryland Historical Trust; co-author, Museums in
Motion: An Introduction to the History and Functions of Museums second
edition
Prior
to joining the Abbe as CEO in 2009, Cinnamon was the director of the
General Lew Wallace Study & Museum in Crawfordsville, Indiana where
she lead this small museum and historic site to the National Medal for
Museum Service in 2008. She was the founding chair
of the American Association for State and Local History's Small Museums
Committee and is presently an AASLH board member. She also serves as a peer reviewer for the American Association of Museums. In the series, she authored two chapters, "DIY Strategic Planning" and "Fearless Fundraising: A Roadmap for Kick-Starting Your Development Program."
Stacy Klinglerunderstands
the real life challenges of working in a small organization from her
past role as director or assistant director of three small museums in
Indiana and in her current role serving small museums in the field
service office at the Indiana Historical Society. She has nine years of
experience translating museum standards and best practices into
manageable steps for all-volunteer and minimally-staffed organizations. Klingler is the current chair of the AASLH Small Museums Committee is a member of the Field Services Alliance. In the series, she co-authored a chapter with Conny Graft titled, "In Lieu of Mind-Reading: Visitor Studies and Evaluation."
The
Abbe Museum's Curator of Collections, Julia Clark, also had a role in
the book series. She authored a chapter about developing collections
management policies titled, "Do We Really Want that Bust of Jesus, and
What Should We Do with the Pump Organ in the Other Room? Why you want a
Good Collections Management Policy."
The table of contents provides another snapshot of the book series:
Book One: Leadership, Mission, and Governance
Book Two: Financial Resource Development and Management
Book Three: Organizational Management
Book Four: Reaching and Responding to the Audience
Book Five: Interpretation: Education, Programs, and Exhibits
Book Six: Stewardship: Collections and Historic Preservation
Book Two: Financial Resource Development and Management
Book Three: Organizational Management
Book Four: Reaching and Responding to the Audience
Book Five: Interpretation: Education, Programs, and Exhibits
Book Six: Stewardship: Collections and Historic Preservation
To learn more about the book series and to order a set, please click here.
Other News & Events for February
There is always something happening at the Abbe, and winter is no exception! Please visit our online calendar for more details.
 |
| This year's brown bag lunch series focuses on topics related to the Abbe's blockbuster exhibit, Indians & Rusticators. |
Other events and demonstrations will follow soon thereafter, so make sure to mark your calendar now!
There
are also a number of upcoming Wabanaki events that are open to the
public. The following links are a sample of some upcoming activities
and recent articles that may interest you.
Know of more? Feel free to post them on our Facebook page!
Know of more? Feel free to post them on our Facebook page!
Passamaquoddy Tribe Plans Wind Farm in the Bangor Daily News
The Dying Art of Making Ash Wood Baskets in the Bangor Daily News
From Tribal Representatives to State Legislatures in Indian Country Today
Exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art
Exhibit at the Boston Children's Museum Native Voices: New England Tribal Families
Workshop to Discuss Racism Scheduled in the Mount Desert Islander
MIBA Events
Tribes of the Dawn Land Cultural and Heritage Days for 2012
Behind the Scenes in January
 |
| We found Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, CEO of the Abbe Museum, researching and writing grant applications in her office. |
The Abbe Museum is closed for the month of January, but that doesn't mean the work stops. Though
we may not have regular visiting hours, during the month of January we
still have school groups, public programs, and special events. But
even more importantly, January is the time when we finish up tasks from
the year before, and start making the preparations and laying the
groundwork for a successful year ahead. January is an important month, one that makes the other eleven months run more smoothly.
Ever wonder what happens at the Abbe Museum when the doors are closed? If
so, then you are in luck...because this issue of Abbe Museum is
dedicated to a behind the scenes look at Bar Harbor's quiet time.
For example, Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, CEO of the Abbe Museum, had this to say: This
time of year, my work as CEO is focused on planning and writing -
planning events, initiatives, and meetings and writing grant
applications, policy, and organizational messages. My keyboard gets a
workout so that when the weather changes and the island welcomes summer
visitors again, I'm ready to meet new people, connect with Abbe friends,
and be part of the exciting events, programs and exhibits we produce
each year. All our plans are in place and our implementation a success
because of the rigorous work we do in the winter.
 |
| We found JB working at the file cabinets. |
What are others doing at the Abbe Museum this January? Read on to find out!
Development: Behind the Scenes at the Abbe Museum
 |
| We found Hannah chatting away, making sure the Abbe's upcoming programs and activities were included on summer event calendars. |
Hannah Whalen, Director of Development
In January, it’s usually a little chilly in my office
upstairs at the Abbe
Museum. Armed with a sweater and a cup of hot tea, I
set to work on the computer, planning and strategizing for the upcoming year of
Fundraising and Development work at the Abbe.
The budget has already been determined for 2012 and I need
to make sure that we have an organized approach in order to meet our annual
fundraising goals. I recently finished
the Development Plan for 2012 and the accompanying tracking system that we use
internally to make sure we stay on pace with our mailings, membership,
sponsorships, donor visits etc...
Right now, I am
working on a comprehensive list or specific “menu” of ways that one can support
the Abbe. Programs, people and projects
are what the “giving menu” is based upon and it will include things like
support for: exhibits, events, educational programs, collections care, acquisitions
fund, facility care and the people who make it happen. When I visit with donors, I like to bring
them news from the Abbe and learn more about who they are, what they are
interested in and why they support the Abbe Museum. This “menu” will be something that I will be
able to share on my visits when it is appropriate. Part of my job is to be a
match maker between the donor and the Abbe; I work to find funding
opportunities that match a person’s interests or passion. I can then tailor a specific proposal for
them. When a match is made, it is exciting and deeply satisfying for both
parties.
It seems like the summer is light years away, but it will be
here before we know it. We are already
planning for the Gathering Gala, which happens on July 18th this
year. My job is to garner sponsorship
support for the Gala and I am working with Astra to organize the mailing list
and get the letters out to potential sponsors.
Meanwhile, we are planning our second annual winter gathering for Gala
artists, sponsors and Abbe volunteers.
This is way to thank our local community members for their support in
the off-season, when we have more time to get together.
There is plenty more going on, but I am going to get another
cup of tea and turn my focus to the “giving menu” and other Development-related
duties. Thank you for your interest in
the Abbe Museum and for supporting our on-going
effort to inspire new learning about the Wabanaki Nations with every visit.
There's never a dull moment...
Raney Bench, Curator of Education
The fact that the Abbe Museum is closed to the general public over the month of January has little impact on the day-to-day work of the education and exhibition departments. In education, I am still available to teach school children, both here at the Abbe by appointment, or traveling to classrooms in schools throughout the state. This month I will be training two new educators in preparation for spring field trips, to help us accommodate students during our busiest months of May and June. I will also be working with schools on Mount Desert Island and Deer Isle, as well as 10 outer Islands, on programming related to the Big Read and the Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In preparation, I will create a new program on stereotypes about Native Americans, seeking their source and reasons why they endure through the characterization of Injun Joe.
And, knowing that in a year, Indians and Rusticators will come down, we are preparing the next exhibit Wabanaki Guides. I
am working with tribal historians from the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy
communities, developing the budget and exhibit plan, and starting the
research phase of this exhibit, which will open in February 2013. All
in all, January is a satisfying month in which we can focus on upcoming
projects and host events that connect us to our year-round community.
 |
| Raney Bench, Curator of Education |
The fact that the Abbe Museum is closed to the general public over the month of January has little impact on the day-to-day work of the education and exhibition departments. In education, I am still available to teach school children, both here at the Abbe by appointment, or traveling to classrooms in schools throughout the state. This month I will be training two new educators in preparation for spring field trips, to help us accommodate students during our busiest months of May and June. I will also be working with schools on Mount Desert Island and Deer Isle, as well as 10 outer Islands, on programming related to the Big Read and the Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In preparation, I will create a new program on stereotypes about Native Americans, seeking their source and reasons why they endure through the characterization of Injun Joe.
The
Abbe continues to offer programs for adults and families throughout the
winter, and January is a time to plan for upcoming summer programs. The
annual Brown Bag Lunch series will kick off on January 19th, focusing
on "what happened next" after the exhibit Indians and Rusticators leaves
off Island history in 1920. Historian Bill Haviland will
speak about the Wabanaki and their role on the cost of Maine after the
end of the encampment era, and additional lectures will be held in
February and March.
 |
| Today we found Raney busy in her office, researching for some upcoming presentations and programs. |
Archaeology is not all in the field...
Julia Clark, Curator of Collections
Work in the Wellman Archaeology Lab is as busy as ever during the
winter months! Star volunteers like Jean Rohrer and Donna Murphy work
on washing, sorting and cataloging the artifacts collected during the
Abbe's archaeological field school. Every now and then they discover
some little treasure or anomaly that was missed in the field, and I hear
an "Oh, cool!" from the other side of the room.
Meanwhile, Jane Clifton, who you may encounter in the Abbe Museum Shop when we are open, is tackling several projects in the Lab. She spent part of December sorting through exhibition records, copying the most important documents onto archival paper, and sorting into archival file folders and boxes- making the necessary transition from the museum's working files to the archives. During January, Jane is copying more than a decade of archaeological field school records onto archival paper and re-filing them in archival folder, important steps towards the long term preservation not only of collections, but of the very important records that go with them. Both archival projects are funded by grants from the Maine State Archives.
Many of my tasks during these winter
months revolve around catching up from last year and getting prepared
for next year. I just finished my annual wrap-up of new acquisitions,
compiling a list and checking it against the necessary paperwork. I want
to make sure I have all the correct documentation, such as the Deed of
Gift which officially transfers ownership to the museum. I will spend
some time entering data on the past year's acquisitions into our
collections management software, PastPerfect. This is also a good time
to check in with researchers who are working with Abbe collections or
archives, making sure they have what they need and providing it if they
do not. I will also be working on upcoming exhibits- finalizing budgets
and working with Cinnamon to secure funding; working with guest curators
to create content; working with Maine Indian Education to create the
2012 Waponahki Student Art Show- all fun and rewarding.
 |
| Julia Clark, Curator of Collections |
Meanwhile, Jane Clifton, who you may encounter in the Abbe Museum Shop when we are open, is tackling several projects in the Lab. She spent part of December sorting through exhibition records, copying the most important documents onto archival paper, and sorting into archival file folders and boxes- making the necessary transition from the museum's working files to the archives. During January, Jane is copying more than a decade of archaeological field school records onto archival paper and re-filing them in archival folder, important steps towards the long term preservation not only of collections, but of the very important records that go with them. Both archival projects are funded by grants from the Maine State Archives.
 |
| Today we found Julia laying out measurements for an exhibit that will open at the Abbe next winter. |
My January started with this blog entry....
 |
| We found Astra showing off signs for the new text to join program. |
A lot of what I will do this month is all about keeping friends of the Abbe connected and informed. I start each month working on our blog and monthly eNews, making sure that everyone is aware of what is happening at the Abbe Museum in the upcoming days and weeks. Yesterday, I set up a new way for visitors subscribe to Abbe eNews - You already receive these newsletters, so you'll miss out on this fun, but new subscribers can text abbemuseum to 22828 and instantly be added to our mailing list. If you want to try it out, it's quite fun...you'll just receive an email thinking that you've changed your email preferences.
I am also beginning a
separate, short newsletter for volunteers that will be sent each month
after eNews, sharing that month's volunteer opportunities. If you would like to receive those emails, please let me know (astra@abbemuseum.org) or sign up for the list by selecting the "Update Profile/Email Address" link at the very bottom of this email. My goal for 2012 is to keep everyone connected!
Next month is actually the one-year anniversary of Abbe eNews, so I'd love to hear your feedback. Please
let me know if there are other sorts of articles you'd be interested in
reading are, what your favorite aspects of eNews are, and any
suggestions you might have for improvement. We want Abbe eNews to be easy, interesting, convenient, and enjoyable for all our readers.
Throughout January I'll focus on the winter and the summer season simultaneously. 2011
was the tenth anniversary of the Abbe Museum Downtown, and for the 73
years before that the Abbe had never been open in the winter...so we
still find ourselves reminding everyone that we are here! I'll
attend meetings and meet other Bar Harbor Merchants interested in
promoting Bar Harbor as a year-round destination, and we'll begin
planning activities for both this winter and next.
At the same time, I'll start prepping for this coming summer. Applications
for seasonal positions in guest services will be available on our
website by the end of this month, so please direct anyone who might be a
good candidate to take a look. We'll collect the applications and begin the hiring process early this spring. January is also a great time for me to begin researching new products for the Abbe Shop. Because
we are closed now, purchasing won't begin until March or April, but by
the end of this month I'll have a good idea about which books,
souvenirs, and other fun take-aways you might expect to see this summer.
Then of course there are
all the normal housekeeping tasks; membership reminders and thank yous,
updates from our 2011 Guest Book, planning for the Gala...but I'll stop
chatting here and let you read on about what others are doing!
Other News & Events for January
There is always something happening at the Abbe, and this fall and winter are no exception! Please visit our online calendar for more details.
Other events and demonstrations will follow soon thereafter, so make sure to mark your calendar now!
There
are also a number of upcoming Wabanaki events that are open to the
public. The following links are a sample of some upcoming activities
and recent articles that may interest you. Know of more? Feel free to
post them on our Facebook page!
The Wabanaki Scholars Series (Minsky Hall, University of Maine Campus) continues January 19, 2012 with presentations by Sherri Mitchell & Bonnie Newsom, followed by discussion and light refreshments.
The series is co-hosted by the Wabanaki Center and the Penobscot Cultural Historic Preservation Department. Next month's presentation will take place February 2nd with Maria Girouard & Suzanne Greenlaw.
First Maliseet Legislator of Maine Sworn In, article from MPBN
It Didn't Go Away in 2011: Racism Continued, article in Indian Country Today
Reflection on Native American Heritage Month (November), from the Marines Website
Pow Wows in Literature, New Book includes a CD in English & Micmac, from Indian Country Today
Life of Mattie Mitchell highlighted in new book, article in The Western Star
December 2011 Retrospective from Indian Country Today
First Nations: A 2011 Retrospective from Indian Country Today
MIBA Events
Tribes of the Dawn Land Cultural and Heritage Days for 2012
A Decade of Gratitude
by Hannah Whalen,
Director of Development
As we reflect on the end of a year of celebrating our first
decade in downtown Bar Harbor, there is much to be grateful for at the Abbe Museum. The hundreds of people who, ten years ago,
participated in the Campaign to Bring the
Abbe Museum to the Community made it happen! Many things that could not
have even been imagined then, are now possible because of this beautiful new facility.
Some of you may recall that during the planning phase of the
building, the Abbe consulted with Native communities in Maine, seeking their ideas for design. Again and again they said that there needed
to be a circle somewhere in the building.
The circle is an important symbol in Native culture and represents
continuity and wholeness. With the
guidance of Wabanaki advisors - especially engineer, Watie Akins, Penobscot,
and through the generosity of John and Ruth Overton, who named the Circle of
the Four Directions in memory of John’s mother Joan Blair Overton - the Circle was
constructed on site. The roof is slanted
and faces east toward the rising sun.
The walls are made of fir paneling and the floor is white ash and often
there is Native flute music in the background.
Over the years many guests have commented that they enjoy just sitting
in the Circle and the peaceful, calm feeling it ensues.
Director of Development
There are intangible moments; consider what a Wabanaki child
experiences when she visits the Abbe for the first time and sees her artwork
framed and hung on a gallery wall next to the works of other young Wabanaki
students. The Waponahki Student Art Show is an annual spring tradition and over
its 10 years downtown, more than 400 young people have delighted in seeing
their art on display at the Abbe.
 |
| Watie Akins performing in the Circle of the Four Directions |
The word philanthropy means, “the love of humankind.” Every
year our donors demonstrate their philanthropy for the work we do at the
Abbe. Thanks to our donors, members and
volunteers, we are able to inspire new learning about the Wabanaki
Nations for the 25,000 who visit us every year.
Because of our contributors, we are able to properly care for over
50,000 historical objects, including the largest and best documented museum
collection of Wabanaki basketry. And
with the Abbe being downtown, we can now offer year-round exhibitions and
educational programs that tell the story of the Wabanaki.
Ten years later, we truly have achieved “neke naka toke” (Passamaquoddy
for “the best of both worlds”) by having a-state-of-the-art downtown museum
with exhibitions and programs year round, and the historic Abbe at Sieur de
Monts Spring open seasonally.
Thank you for your interest in the Abbe Museum
and for your support. Happy Holidays!