Newsletter
Join LCHA
Donate NowLongtime Dresden resident and US Air Force Major Vladimir Lomakin passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. Vladimir and the entire Lomakin family have long been passionately connected to the Pownalborough Court House, living just next door to the austere building. For more than sixty years, the Lomakins have shared in the stewardship of …
Comets in 18th Century New England
By Louise Miller Comets were as fascinating in the 18th century as they are now. Although Edmon Halley’s work on comet orbits in 1705, coupled with the work of Isaac Newton, set a whole new definition for comet activity, there was a lot less information available to the average person at the time on this celestial activity. Lack of information did …
Preservation Party Meets Two Goals
While rain poured down in other parts of Lincoln County, the grounds of the Pownalborough Court House remained dry for Lincoln County Historical Association’s (LCHA’s) annual fundraiser on Sept. 18. But there was more good news for the party planners. Lively bidding during the after-dinner auction had already ensured that the organization would meet its goal for the event when …
A Dive into LCHA: Highlights from the Organization
Tape Looms “Just arrived, and to be Sold Cheap, a Choice variety of Haberdashery, …Laces, Cadisis (type of woolen tape), Quality’s Tapes, Pins, Needles, Shirt-button, Crewels in Shades.” Boston News-Letter, Apr 15/22, 1736 Tape looms are used to weave narrow, sturdy tapes. Usually not more than an inch wide, and they were woven narrower, tapes were colorful and were an …
A Dive into LCHA: Highlights from the Organization
When the Angels Descended on LCHA Each year the Costume Society of America (CSA) gives a small, deserving museum an opportunity to be the recipient of their “Angel Project” award. In 2017, such an opportunity presented itself to LCHA. The CSA’s National Symposium was held in Portland, Maine. The Angel Project is a one-day event, held each year near the …
A Dive into LCHA: Highlights from the Organization
Crewel Worked Bed Valances The bed hanging valences shown above are truly lovely in that the colors of the yarns have remained so vibrant. Dated to the 18th Century, they are very nice examples of American crewel work. The needle workers, as men and women both practiced the art, in the American Colonies developed a crewel work style of their …
A Dive into LCHA: Highlights from the Organization
LCHA’s Native American Collection Three years ago, the Pownalborough Court House stewardship committee oversaw a small installation in the third floor Jury Room exhibition space devoted in part to the French and Indian War period. Included in this presentation was a small selection of Native American material including birch bark and splint baskets and containers, hewn stone implements, and clothing. …
Court House Collections and New Connections:
LCHA receives generous donations of historic items connected to Pownalborough Court House – from across the country. A wonderful story about special gifts to the LCHA collections from far and wide was recently highlighted in the Lincoln County News. Click here for the article describing how these items found their way home to Dresden.
Object of the Week: Highlighting the LCHA Collections
Sack-Back Windsor Armchair This style of Windsor chair was probably initially developed in Philadelphia during the second half of the 18th century but its popularity soon spread to the other British colonies in North America. Our example is a relatively simplified version but contains all the essential elements of this chair type. It has a characteristic shaped pine saddle seat …
Object of the Week: Highlighting the LCHA Collections
Baking in a Brick Oven A previous article discussed the placement of the oven in Colonial fireplaces. Among a cook’s skills was knowing how to judge the temperature of the oven and to use it to best advantage. To heat up a brick oven, a fire is built inside it. On the floor of the oven small kindling was arranged and …