I’m working on some research for an article on Luykas Groundhog, and found this.  love Erin Blasco’s “Top 5 Reasons to Follow a Museum Mascot,” and indeed the whole series she and Owney (the Smithsonian National Postal Museum’s canine mascot) wrote on museum mascots.  Owney, and some of the others are definitely inspiring. 

jennifuchs:

27 February 2012

So, I’m back from my wee trip to Edinburgh and I had an absolutely amazing time. Besides catching up on lots of baby-free shopping, eating out and going to the cinema, I finally managed to visit the Museum of Fire, one of Edinburgh’s hidden gems, see the excellent Fascinating…

I’ve got a new project at work— a new blog about the history of Columbia County from the perspective of Luykas Groundhog.  The idea of having a groundhog who was interested in exploring local history came from the time last year we found a real groundhog trapped in one of our historic buildings, while we had a school tour going on.  The blog is intended for our younger visitors and local school children, but it will be adult friendly as well.  I hope you’ll join me in welcoming Luykas to Tumblr— be sure to read his “About Me” section, and perhaps give him a follow!  

luykasgroundhog:

Today was the day- my first day as history ambassador for the Columbia County Historical Society!  As soon as I got to the Columbia County Museum in Kinderhook, they put me right to work.  The museum has a great research library, full of books, files on families, and maps.  People come in to do research on their families, their neighborhoods, and when they are writing books and articles.  You can see me with my favorite book (History of Columbia County, NY by Franklin Ellis) and my favorite magazine (Columbia County History and Heritage, which is put out twice a year by the historical society).  I used the card catalog to help researchers look for books, and I even got to work at the front desk! (You can click on the images to make them bigger)

I’m glad I got to learn about the library- now I will be able to search deeper for the history of some of the great places in Columbia County! 

At the Columbia County Historical Society, we just received a donation of material collected by local historian Dominick Lizzi, collected while he worked on the book Valatie, a Forgotten History.  It included a digitized copy of film taken during the 1956 centennial parade in Valatie.  Over the next couple of days, I’ll be uploading clips on the CCHS facebook page, and flickr group— definitely worth checking out.  This one is special though… it shows the Tri-Village fire company, of which my husband’s grandfather was a founding member.  I’m posting this for the family… maybe he is in it?  Do you know anyone in the video?

Tomorrow, I will be hosting and participating in the Artisan’s Reception at the Columbia County Historical Society’s Holiday Market.  I’m looking forward to talking with people about how my jewelry is made, and especially meeting some of the other talented artisans who will be participating, including:

Dick Brooks, Woodcarving (and author of the newspaper column “Whittling Away” in the Catskill Daily Mail and the Register Star)

John Clum, Clumtree Baskets

Pamela Dalton, Scherenschnitte (Pamela’s papercut illustrations helped earn the book “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” a spot on the NY Times 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2011 list)

Katie Kearney, Katie’s Magical Knits

Mary Remback, Omi Silver, Jewelry

Sabina Steen, Camphill Village, Spinning

Come join us on Thurs, Dec. 15th from 4-7pm at the Vanderpoel House of History, 16 Broad St., Kinderhook, NY

At work this week, we are busy preparing for our Holiday Market, featuring locally made art, crafts, and foods.  We will also have drop-in crafts for children, and Victorian stories in the parlor.  My jewelry, ornaments, ornament hooks, cowels, and vintage suitcase picnic baskets will all be exhibited (you can get a preview of some of the items on the Hudson River Designs Etsy page), and I will be demonstrating during the Artisan’s reception.  Come check it out!

2011 Gallery of Wreaths at CCHS, a set on Flickr.

More photos that I took this weekend while working at the Columbia County Historical Society’s Gallery of Wreaths. There were some beautiful wreaths this year… and the gingerbread!

Glitter house village! @cchsny (Taken with instagram)

My glitter Luykas Van Alen House made at @CCHSNY ! (Taken with instagram)

The view from the Vanderpoel House of History this morning. (Taken with instagram)