Virtual Visit to the Shelburne Museum in Vermont

So, the last ten years my museum experiences were mostly influenced by my daughter.  And, another great influencer is the internet.  Thank goodness for the internet , which takes me to a different destination everyday, while I am stuck at home.  I was feeling the same way a few years ago.  It was the dead of winter and I started my search of impressionism.  It brought me to a sight for the top 25 places in the world to view Impressionism.  I was surprised how many I visited.  Then when I came to see there was a collection on view in Shelburne, Vermont I was so happy.  I was visiting Burlington and going right by there for training at April Cornell.  But, this part wasn't open during the winter.  So, it had to wait until a visit during the summer.  It really was amazing, the whole place is amazing.  Electra Havemeyer Webb was born to collectors during the Golden Age.  She grew up in an apartment in New York City.  After she was married she ended up with a huge property in Shelburne, Vermont.  She continued collecting, but it was old schoolhouses, a steamboat and a light house.  In

the mid-fifties she started to bring them to the property and opened the Shelburne Museum.  So, to remember her parents and to house their Art Collection.  She built a monument on this property.   It looks like a southern or federal mansion.  And, she took everything including the walls of the apartment in NYC and completely reproduced it in Shelburne.

The picture above is a Mary Cassatt pastel of Electra and her mother.  It was painted when she was seven years old.  Mary Cassatt was friends with her mother, and helped her with her art collection.

So, I have been able to visit more then half of the 25 museums.  I really have been so fortunate to visit so many.  I think I do visit a museum to feel fortunate and grateful.  

I am a born collector myself.  I was born to parents who collected rocks, minerals and shells.  I remember my mom made beautiful Christmas ornaments with tiny shells.  Making beautiful flowers out of the tiniest shells.  The last two months, I have been purging as much as possible, but I still find it so hard.

I have been making some things as gifts, which is satisfying.  But, trying to be realistic with how much time it takes.  I have most of it in the basement and I am bringing what I use currently upstairs.  

I collect victorian scrap,  valentines, greeting cards and notecards.  I have an idea of how I am going to make some things into gifts.  I just love that since I have been home,  I don't have to buy anything. I have everything I need already.  I made a gift for my grandson for his baptism next week.

Quote for the Day:  Theodore Roosevelt:  Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

Song of the Day:  All Over The World  ELO