This fine linen infant cap is the oldest textile in our collection. The crown and side stripes are constructed of bobbin lace, a type of lace created by braiding and twisting thread held in place with pins set into a lace pillow. Take a look at the fine lacework- at the time, even the clothing of infants and small children often featured beautiful, delicate lacework. A piece of clothing like this would be passed down and reused over multiple generations of children.

Doll’s teaset (c. early 18th century, France). This porcelain doll’s teaset belonged to Sarah Dickerman Swift of New Haven, Connecticut. It was donated to the Amherst Historical Society in 1975 by her granddaughter, Helen Mitchell.

This 19th century paint set belonged to Mabel Loomis Todd, the woman responsible for editing and publishing the work of Emily Dickinson, as well as an artist and author in her own right. Todd authored books and articles, and travelled around the US on a professional lecture tour giving lectures on a wide range of topics, including Emily Dickinson, New England history, and astronomy. A prolific artist and writer, Todd continued creating and traveling until just shortly before her death. Mabel died in 1932 while camping in Maine..

This bamboo tube from 1945 was used a postal mailer, by a Capt. H Plough (probably Dr. Harold Plough, professor of genetics at Amherst College for 42 years). He sent this ‘envelope’ on April 6th, 1945, addressed to Mrs. G. Atkinson, probably Lenette May Rogers, assistant professor of biology at Mount Holyoke College. Through historical detective work and searching through records, Amherst Historical Museum trustee Christopher Fruen deduced Dr. Plough likely sent this package from the Philippines where he was probably stationed. Many records of military service were destroyed by a fire in 1973, so this tube is the only record of Dr. Plough’s service- and what it contained is unknown and likely an answer lost to time.

An 18th century rosehead nail from the Simeon Strong House, next to its modern counterpart. As explained by Steve DeWolf, carpenter who specializes in repairing Pioneer Valley historic homes, this nail would have been forged by hand, the head created by striking the metal bar when it was hot. It was pulled from the side of the Strong House during restoration work underway.