Richard Lee: Pewterer - Article from "The Vermont Journal"

BY DONNA ALLEN

The Shopper

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Ron Patch gave a dynamic presentation on Richard Lee: Pewterer to a standing room only crowd at the new location of Springfield Historical Society in North Springfield on Saturday. 

  After being introduced by Bunni Putnam, President of the Springfield Historical Society, Patch told the crowd that he was thrilled to help the Society move the collection from the Miller Art center to their new location. For the first time in 45 years the Lee pewter was removed from behind the glass. Patch had wanted to see and handle the pewter for years and now had his chance. This was the first time he had handled the collection. He took detailed close-ups of the different Lee hallmarks – a makers stamp or brand - and other details. 

  The collection included numerous pewter porringers, basins, ladles, plates, a few brass ladles and one skimmer, all marked R. Lee, Richard Lee or RL. Scholars have yet to determine which marks are Richard Lee Sr. and which are Richard Lee Jr.

  Pewter is a soft metal made of several alloys. The base metal is tin combined with copper, antimony or bismuth. The tin content is 95% or more. Pewter has existed since the days of the Egyptians and in the 18th century it was widely used for utilitarian items around the world.

  Richard Lee Sr. and Richard Lee Jr. were two pewterers in Springfield, Vermont. Richard Lee Sr. was born in Scituate, Massachusetts in 1747 and died in North Springfield, Vermont in 1823. Richard Lee Jr. was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts in 1775. The elder Lee was an itinerant pewterer working in several New England towns including Springfield, Vt. and Grafton, N.H. and in Massachusetts and Rhode Island from 1773-1823. He is best known for his varied porringers, but he also made flatware, although much less frequently plates and teapots. A porringer is a small bowl from which soup, porridge, bread and milk can be eaten. His son Richard Jr. also worked in Springfield for about 20 years.

  “The Lee pewter collection was donated to SAHS by the estate of Mark LaFountain in 1969. LaFountain was an early collector of colonial antiques and is known to have done business with Wallace Nutting. LaFountain’s collection was sold at auction at his home in Springfield in 1969. To this day it is one of the finest collections to come to market in New England,” said Patch.

  In the Springfield Historical Society collection are two engraved teapots hallmarked “Lee & Creesy.” Much information has come to light since the days of the pioneer collectors. 

 The Springfield Historical Society is open Saturdays, from 1 - 4 p.m. They are located in the Cota & Cota building on Rte. 106 in North Springfield. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Phone:
802-886-7935
or call Putnam’s at 802-886-8430

• The Vermont Journal
• News
• Ron Patch

- See more at: http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/richard-lee-pewterer#sthash.SiPQUivh.dpuf

The Richard Lee collection back behind glass at the Springfield Historical Society.
Photo by Donna Allen - See more at: http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/richard-lee-pewterer#sthash.SiPQUivh.dpuf

BY DONNA ALLEN

The Shopper

"SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Ron Patch gave a dynamic presentation on Richard Lee: Pewterer to a standing room only crowd at the new location of Springfield Historical Society in North Springfield on Saturday.

  After being introduced by Bunni Putnam, President of the Springfield Historical Society, Patch told the crowd that he was thrilled to help the Society move the collection from the Miller Art center to their new location. For the first time in 45 years the Lee pewter was removed from behind the glass. Patch had wanted to see and handle the pewter for years and now had his chance. This was the first time he had handled the collection. He took detailed close-ups of the different Lee hallmarks – a makers stamp or brand - and other details.

  The collection included numerous pewter porringers, basins, ladles, plates, a few brass ladles and one skimmer, all marked R. Lee, Richard Lee or RL. Scholars have yet to determine which marks are Richard Lee Sr. and which are Richard Lee Jr.

  Pewter is a soft metal made of several alloys. The base metal is tin combined with copper, antimony or bismuth. The tin content is 95% or more. Pewter has existed since the days of the Egyptians and in the 18th century it was widely used for utilitarian items around the world.

  Richard Lee Sr. and Richard Lee Jr. were two pewterers in Springfield, Vermont. Richard Lee Sr. was born in Scituate, Massachusetts in 1747 and died in North Springfield, Vermont in 1823. Richard Lee Jr. was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts in 1775. The elder Lee was an itinerant pewterer working in several New England towns including Springfield, Vt. and Grafton, N.H. and in Massachusetts and Rhode Island from 1773-1823. He is best known for his varied porringers, but he also made flatware, although much less frequently plates and teapots. A porringer is a small bowl from which soup, porridge, bread and milk can be eaten. His son Richard Jr. also worked in Springfield for about 20 years.

  “The Lee pewter collection was donated to SAHS by the estate of Mark LaFountain in 1969. LaFountain was an early collector of colonial antiques and is known to have done business with Wallace Nutting. LaFountain’s collection was sold at auction at his home in Springfield in 1969. To this day it is one of the finest collections to come to market in New England,” said Patch.

  In the Springfield Historical Society collection are two engraved teapots hallmarked “Lee & Creesy.” Much information has come to light since the days of the pioneer collectors.

 The Springfield Historical Society is open Saturdays, from 1 - 4 p.m. They are located in the Cota & Cota building on Rte. 106 in North Springfield. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Phone:
802-886-7935
or call Putnam’s at 802-886-8430

    The Vermont Journal News Ron Patch"

- See more at: http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/richard-lee-pewterer#sthash.SiPQUivh.dpuf

BY DONNA ALLEN

The Shopper

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Ron Patch gave a dynamic presentation on Richard Lee: Pewterer to a standing room only crowd at the new location of Springfield Historical Society in North Springfield on Saturday. 

  After being introduced by Bunni Putnam, President of the Springfield Historical Society, Patch told the crowd that he was thrilled to help the Society move the collection from the Miller Art center to their new location. For the first time in 45 years the Lee pewter was removed from behind the glass. Patch had wanted to see and handle the pewter for years and now had his chance. This was the first time he had handled the collection. He took detailed close-ups of the different Lee hallmarks – a makers stamp or brand - and other details. 

  The collection included numerous pewter porringers, basins, ladles, plates, a few brass ladles and one skimmer, all marked R. Lee, Richard Lee or RL. Scholars have yet to determine which marks are Richard Lee Sr. and which are Richard Lee Jr.

  Pewter is a soft metal made of several alloys. The base metal is tin combined with copper, antimony or bismuth. The tin content is 95% or more. Pewter has existed since the days of the Egyptians and in the 18th century it was widely used for utilitarian items around the world.

  Richard Lee Sr. and Richard Lee Jr. were two pewterers in Springfield, Vermont. Richard Lee Sr. was born in Scituate, Massachusetts in 1747 and died in North Springfield, Vermont in 1823. Richard Lee Jr. was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts in 1775. The elder Lee was an itinerant pewterer working in several New England towns including Springfield, Vt. and Grafton, N.H. and in Massachusetts and Rhode Island from 1773-1823. He is best known for his varied porringers, but he also made flatware, although much less frequently plates and teapots. A porringer is a small bowl from which soup, porridge, bread and milk can be eaten. His son Richard Jr. also worked in Springfield for about 20 years.

  “The Lee pewter collection was donated to SAHS by the estate of Mark LaFountain in 1969. LaFountain was an early collector of colonial antiques and is known to have done business with Wallace Nutting. LaFountain’s collection was sold at auction at his home in Springfield in 1969. To this day it is one of the finest collections to come to market in New England,” said Patch.

  In the Springfield Historical Society collection are two engraved teapots hallmarked “Lee & Creesy.” Much information has come to light since the days of the pioneer collectors. 

 The Springfield Historical Society is open Saturdays, from 1 - 4 p.m. They are located in the Cota & Cota building on Rte. 106 in North Springfield. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Phone:
802-886-7935
or call Putnam’s at 802-886-8430

• The Vermont Journal
• News
• Ron Patch

- See more at: http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/richard-lee-pewterer#sthash.SiPQUivh.dpuf

Article in the Eagle Times - Our Civil War exhibit

Article in the Eagle Times 6/21/13

"Museum brings back exhibit for Civil War anniversary"

By CHRIS GAROFOLO Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Art & Historical Society held its annual First Night Reception yesterday, reopening the downtown Miller Art Center for the summer season with the return of a display honoring the town’s involvement during the Civil War.
The festivities marked an exhibit titled “Returning Fire” that explores the role of Springfield citizens and solders during the Civil War. Within the latest Miller Art Center display, first brought to Springfield in 1998, is several new items for 2013 including reading materials and a presentation sword.
Emily Stringham, a member of the society’s board and the textiles curator, said some of the items are also on loan that are different from the initial exhibit. The 150th anniversary of the Civil War prompted the return of the historical artifacts dating back to the 1860s.
It is also the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and there was a sizable amount of Springfield soldiers (and Vermonters in general) who took part in the three-day conflict outside of the Pennsylvania town where more than 23,000 soldiers on both sides died.
“It is a really important part of Springfield’s history and there’s a lot of different towns all over the state that are trying to tie into the anniversary. And we thought Springfield played an important role and we ought to be contributing to the anniversary also,” Stringham said.
Society President Jim Chlebak and his family’s brass trio set the tone for the evening with an arrangement of music from the era. A list of Civil War veterans from Springfield has been placed on the wall, along with uniforms, medals and information on the town’s history with the underground railroad and the 3rd and 16th Vermont regiments.
Left: Maddi Macie and Makenna Goodrich model Civil War era dresses at the First Night Reception at the Miller Museum in Springfield Thursday evening. Top: Bob Swanson from Springfield looks at part of the Civil War display. Middle: Tim Vanzandt from Springfield looks at part of the Civil War display. PAUL HOWE PHOTOS

Springfield High School Vintage Prom

It's spring time! And that means prom season. On Saturday, May 19th Springfield High School will hold its 2012 prom at the Harness House. The Grand March will take place at 7:00pm.

Here is a look at some vintage prom dresses that are part of the SAHS textile collection. All three of these lovely dresses were made by Marion Eldredge for her daughters.

The first is a lovely pink cotton gown made by Mrs. Eldredge for her daughter Anne to wear for her junior prom in 1954. The gown is shown below modeled by student intern Julia during our vintage fashion show last fall. The next two gowns, also by Mrs. Eldredge, were made using Vogue sewing patterns. Interns Abby and Jenn are shown modeling the gold and green gowns.

Above photos by Hannah Lille, 2011

The gold dress was constructed using Vogue Paris Original pattern #1082, view B. Mrs. Eldredge made this for her daughter Betsey for her Springfield High School graduation ball in 1962.

Vogue Paris Original pattern #1082

Vogue Paris Original pattern #1082

Vogue Paris Original 1082

The green satin gown was constructed using Vogue Couturier Design #919 by Mrs. Eldredge for her daughter Dorothy's 1956 Springfield High School prom.

Vogue Couturier Design 919

Photo by Hannah Lille, 2011

Asahel Lynde Powers - American Painter, 1813 to 1843

Asahel Lynde Powers was born on February 28, 1813, in Springfield, Vermont. Powers began his painting career at a young age. At 18 years old, Powers was already well-known . Many of his earliest painting were made in the Springfield, Vermont area. The portrait of Dr. Joel Green of Rutland, Vermont (seen below) on display at the SAHS, is among the earliest known signed and dated painting by Powers. The portrait of Dr. Green was loaned to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1973 and was displayed during their exhibit of early American primitive painters. The painting was loaned again in 200_ to the Southern Vermont Arts Center, located in Manchester, Vermont for a similar exhibition.

Dr Joel Green of Rutland, Vt, 1831 by Asahel Lynde Powers (American, 1813-1843), SAHS collection. The painting is on permanent display at the SAHS along with paintings of the Chase family, also by Powers.

Like many early 19th century American paintings, Powers' early works were oil on wide wood  panels. All five of the Powers paintings owned by the SAHS are done on wood panels. As a traveling artist, Powers eventually switched to canvas as canvas would have been far more portable than heavy wooden panels. His early work is known for its strong outlines, colorful details and facial delineation.  The clothing and accessories of the sitters are painted with a bold hand. Powers experimented with different colors in the backgrounds of his paintings throughout his career which helps in dating his work as many of his portraits were not signed or dated.

Powers traveled throughout Vermont and New York painting his portraits. In 1840 his was living in New York with his wife, Elizabeth M. Powers. Powers later moved to Illinois where he died in 1843.

Two paintings sold by Peggy McClard Antiques Americana & Folk Art (seen below) are of Daniel Griswold and his daughter and Louisa Griswold Field, both of Springfield, Vermont. The green dress worn by Louisa is believed to be her wedding dress. She married Abner Field of Springfield on February 16, 1832 and together they had four children. Louisa died in Springfield on August 15, 1884. Powers painted her when she was about 27 years old, her father was 73.

Louisa Griswold Field age 27 of Springfield, Vt

Daniel Griswol, age 73, of Springfield, Vt

Below is portrait a of handsome young gentleman believed to have been painted by Powers in the 1830s.

 

Portrait of a Young Gentleman. Unsigned. Oil on poplar panel, c. 1830. Attributed to Asahel Lynde Powers. Sold by Skinner Inc.

Eliza Ann Farrar by Asahel Lynde Powers

For additional information on Asahel Lynde Powers:
Art Blog - It's About Time

Little, Nina Fletcher, Asahel Powers-Painter of Vermont Faces.  The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 1973.  Plates 37 & 38, pages 38-39. 

"Seeing America:painting and sculpture from the collection of the Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester"

"250 Years of Fashion" – A Vintage Fashion Show -- NEW EVENT DATE!

Springfield Art and Historical Society at the Miller Art Center Presents,

"250 Years of Fashion" - A Vintage Fashion Show

Due to Hurricane Irene this event has been rescheduled for October 9^th!
 

Our vintage fashion show will now be held October 9, 2011 at 2:00pm at the Miller Art Center 9 Elm Hill in Springfield, Vt.  It was intended to be part of this summer’s 250^th anniversary celebration events, but Mother Nature had other ideas!

This event promises to be both fun and educational; people of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. Featuring original, vintage, and reproduction clothing from the SAHS collections as well as a private collection, the fashion show will highlight men's, women's, and children's fashions of the last 250 years. All of the clothing will be modeled by our student interns. Additional textiles and accessories will also be on display during the show.

Refreshments will be served following the show. Proceeds from this event will benefit the care and conservation of our textile collection.

Antique and vintage clothing on display during the SAHS exhibit, “250 Years to Shine! – A History of Springfield, Vermont.” Summer 2011

Antique and vintage clothing on display during the SAHS exhibit, “250 Years to Shine! – A History of Springfield, Vermont.” Summer 2011

One of our student interns wearing a vintage hat.

Bunni Putnam will have a book signing for her book, Images of America; Springfield following the fashion show.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students/seniors, and $10 for SAHS members.

Tickets will be available at the door but seating is limited. We recommend that you please call or email to reserve your tickets.

Museum Hours: Thursday-Friday 11:00am-4:00pm and Saturday 11:00am-3:00pm

9 Elm Hill, Springfield, Vermont ■ (802)-885-2415 info@millerartcenter.com

Find us on Facebook - Springfield Art and Historical Society at the Miller Art Center

UPDATE - For more images please see our post - Photos from Our Vintage Fashion Show