Topic starter
25/03/2011 11:52 pm
As Jim Reising reported recently, the Howard Steamboat Museum these days is a virtual beehive of activity. Our new Collections Management Facility, currently under construction, is growing by leaps and bounds. The walls are UP and they expect to start on the "second deck" next week! The annual "Spring Into Art" exhibition was hung in the carriage house this week and opens tomorrow. Inside the "big house", the HVAC workmen toil at running ductwork and installing the new geothermal system which will soon heat and cool the 22 room mansion. No matter how much we try, the dust abounds and exhibits are moved hither and yon, but our visitors all seem to enjoy witnessing the chaos!
Today, Kenny Howe, Jim and I were sleuthing on the third floor. A circular, lidded wooden box that once contained a wheel of cheese was brought out of a closet. It contained MANY celluloid negatives that were not in the best of condition, but when held to light revealed some most intriguing images. Scenes of steamboats under construction, engine room interiors, family photos and other treasures abounded. One scene was immediately recognized as Capt. Edmonds J. Howard standing on the steps of the shipyard office. Several old envelopes in the box were dated 1899. Jimmy, our resident photo expert, recently completed the task of scanning all of the glass plate negatives of the Howard Collection and will now undertake the cleaning and scanning of these negatives. Needless to say we all were "giddy" with excitement and can hardly wait to see what is contained in this fabulous find!
Herewith are two images of damaged prints which were found in the box:
(1) Howard Mansion Parlor - Apparently decorated for a wedding -- perhaps that of Clyde Howard and Julia Thomson.
(2) Str. J.H. MENGE, built at the Howard Shipyard in 1910 for the Southern trade. Later the M.A. BURKE and JOHN W. HUBBARD.
Every new day is an exciting and and fun adventure at the Howard Steamboat Museum, which Judy Patsch has dubbed as "the little museum that CAN and DOES!" Y'all come see us!
"Curator Keith"
27/03/2011 4:06 am
Keith
If the first picture is of preparations for Clyde's and Julia wedding they were married on 29 Jan 1896. or if you like a date closer to that of the J. H. Nenge it could be for the Wedding for James D and Loretta M. R. Wooden which took place 23 Jun 1908. I assume the Museum has all the dates for the Howards if not let me know as I have many of them in my computer.
High and dry
Utah Riverrat
Topic starter
27/03/2011 9:43 am
Thanks Carl! We think the parlor picture was most likely taken at the time of Clyde and Julia's wedding. Yes, we have all the dates, but thanks so much for your offer. The last family wedding in the mansion was in 1969 when Ruth Richter, daughter of Martha Howard Richter and Herman Richter (Ruthie is Loretta and Jim's granddaughter) was married in the parlor. As to church affiliations, Capt. Jim was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Market Street, while Miss Loretta was a member of First Presbyterian.
Other (non-family) weddings have been held at the Howard mansion over the years, but they are usually outside on the grounds near the fountain, etc. The "gazebo pilothouse" which is soon to be built on the rear lawn, near the carriage house, will also be used for weddings.