Hi all,

 We've migrated our blog-style posts to our Facebook page.  Thanks.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Historic-London-Town-and-Gardens/133424606700659

 

 

A new exhibit has been placed in the Visitor Center exhibt hall. A  collection of glass oil lamps from the first half of the 19th century, donated by Jane Iglehart, is now on display. Usually refered to by collectors as "Sandwich"glass, these flint glass blown and pressed  lamps were produced in New England by both the New England Glass Company in Cambridge and the Boston and Sandwich Glass Factory betwen 1817 and 1888.  The invention of a glass pressing machine in 1825 greatly enhanced the numbers and kinds of designs  that could be produced. Over time these designs also adapted to changes in the fuels available until Kerosene became the most common fuel used after  1859.

Starting Labor Day Weekend, Historic London Town and Gardens will be offering two new tours every Saturday and Sunday in September: Three Families, Three Stories and Myths & Misconceptions.

Three Families, Three Stories explores the lifestyles of three different families from London Town's colonial history. To heighten your experience, you will be invited to dress in period clothing. The tour begins in the Lord Mayor's Tenement with the Midiates, a shipwright and his family.  After learning about the Midiates, the tour goes into the William Brown House (a National Historic Landmark) where participants learn about the Browns, a tavernkeeper's family.  The tour ends with participants learning about the other 'family' that lived in the Brown household, enslaved Africans.

Museum Myths and Misconceptions will take you through the William Brown House where our experienced guides will discuss some of the "myths" that are often repeated at many historic sites and museums throughout the country.  During the tour you will learn about "poisonous" tomatoes, four-foot tall people, and other misconceptions that though may be based in truth, have become misunderstood throughout the years.  Maybe you'll have a few myths and misconceptions to share.

Additionally, you will be able to see our two new interactive, temporary exhibits in the Visitor Center, designed for family entertainment.  Architecture Nook includes a display of architectural artifacts that have been found in Anne Arundel County and allows participants the challenge of building a brick wall.  Batteries Not Required: Colonial Games examines some game-related artifacts excavated at London Town and includes the opportunity to play a variety of colonial-era games with family and friends.

As these tours continue through September, feel free to comment on them, offer your own myths for review, and post pictures of our site on London Town's Facebook page.

As of yesterday, Historic London Town and Gardens joined Facebook and more firmly entered the 21st century.  As we learn more about how to work with social media and our website, we will update you via the London Town blog (which is also cross-posted on our Facebook page).  We highly encourage you to post your favorite pictures of Historic London Town and Gardens on our Facebook page to share them with the world.

The William Brown House is decorated for the Holidays with the preparations for a holiday party. Entertainment will include dancing in the tavern room, cards and games in the River Room, supper and desserts, and plenty of drinks. One guest will not be joining in the fun, however. Poor Mr. Black is laid low with an ague (perhaps the flu) and has taken to his bed. The doctor will soon come and bleed him if the other medicines he had left have had no effect.

Visitors to our Native American Cooking demonstration today (Friday, November 27, 2009) avoided the shopping malls while learning about the various foodways the English colonists adopted from the local Woodland Indians during the colonial period.  Young and old alike helped grind corn, cook (sweet) potatoes, roast chestnuts, and chop wood.

Three of our education docents, Elly, Carole, and Barbara, as well as two of our junior docents, Perry and Lexie, worked hard and gave our visitors many excellent hands-on opportunities.  Below are some pictures of our docents in action and the food prepared on-site.

Above: Visitors learning about Native American foodways.

Below: Corn, dried apples and pumpkins, and other good food.