Village Of Norwood, New York Museum-Part 1

The Village of Norwood museum is only open four hours per week in the summer and I hadn't been there in several years, so one afternoon I returned to have another look. There were several people there, sorting and cleaning, and all were friendly and welcoming:

I began in the parlor. I was told that this house once belonged to the village doctor, and this room was his office and examination room:

The inlaid floor was dramatic, and evidence of the railroad money which once made this town prosperous:


Now the room is a comfortable looking, Victorian Era parlor:


The next room was a tribute to the town's railroading history. They had more railroad lanterns than I've ever seen in one place:

I imagine that town residents donated most of the artifacts in this museum as well as all the other town museums I've been to:

Toy train cars, photos and memorabilia:

This old high button shoe was found inside a wall in a local house which was being remodeled. The tool with the hook was to help with the cumbersome job of getting in and out of such a shoe:

A room filled with village mementos:

Typewriters so old that they were even before my time:

A very old and faded red wig and a deluxe hairbrush set. I could only imagine that the bright red wig was used by a woman of dubious morals who entertained the railroad crew and passengers at the American Hotel, which used to be just down the street:

A baby's bonnet and more high-top shoes. There was a lot more to see at the museum and I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

Hopkinton, New York Town Museum - Part 2

I was touring the Hopkinton town museum on a rainy Saturday (see also Part 1, posted yesterday) and had just finished the first floor. I walked upstairs and began in the military room. There were old uniforms, awards, banners, photos, flags and this model airplane. The lighting was bad, though, and this was the only photo from the military room which was usable:

They had an old typewriter and once again I realized that I've become old enough to have used some of the items which are now museum pieces:

The bedroom was typical for the 1800s, including bedpans, long johns and nightshirts, and reminded me of my grandmother's bedroom:


One wall had additional artifacts and some children's clothing:

A baby's crib, dolls and nightclothes:

Yes, this reminded me very much of my grandmother's bedroom:

Another upstairs room had been furnished as an old time schoolroom, complete with desks, globe and picture of George Washington:

I returned downstairs and went to the kitchen to photograph the old fashioned wood stove, once again an item I have used in my childhood:

  A cabinet which perhaps would be called a Hoosier:

The attendant took me out to the Museum Annex which was filled with old tools from around the farm and house:

A fanning mill for grain, a mold for making concrete block, snowshoes, corn planter, scythes, barrels and Adirondack pack baskets:

And a fire department pumper, made in 1897 and used in this town until 1927:

All kinds of tools;

Two old fashioned washing machines, a wringer and logging saws. There was one more building to see but the light was too dim for photography. So I thanked my host and headed for home: