Volunteers create new southwest gallery

V
ices
From
Mt Kearsarge
Indian Museum
may 2013
In This Issue:
Page 2:
New members
Page 3:
Off-season
Volunteers
Planned giving
Volunteers create
new southwest gallery
Thanks to the talents of more
than a dozen people who
volunteered approximately 150
hours over three months, MKIM
now has a beautifully re-imagined
Southwest Gallery. Chris Bullock
co-designed the exhibit and built
the new adobe entrance (out of a
tree specially cut for the task).
Colin Duggan laid the stonework
at the entrance and mudded the
adobe walls. (The adobe-overstone mimics Pueblo dwellings,
where adobe was plastered over
the laid stonework left from
ancestral dwellings.) Several
people contributed to creating
the timeline of Pueblo pottery,
including Linda Hartman who
painted the walls (and dozens of
other surfaces that needed
painting), David Hartman who
installed the glass shelving,
Richard LaFlamme who delicately
installed the pots, Larry Checchi
who researched the pots and
developed a label format, high
school intern Bethany Glanville
who researched photos of Pueblo
potters, and David Steelman and
Virginia Theo-Steelman who
donated the exquisite Pueblo pots
that form the contemporary end
of the timeline.
Lee Richmond arranged the
katsina case, and researched the
katsina figures. Karen Sullivan
Page 4:
Powwow
Lauren walter
Page 5:
School vacation
family events
Page 6:
Museum opening
Walking bear
singers
Page 7:
family fun days
More events
Page 8:
Museum store
Reciprocal
Admission
Auction
Page 9:
New art exhibit
Trustees
Chair Dr. Grace Morth Fraser
Vice Chair Stephen K. Pitman
Secretary Mark D. Greenly
Treasurer Katherine H. Pitman
Douglas Deihl
Robert J. Dietel
Jessica Eshleman
Scott Devoid (Lakota/Cree)
Dr. Robert G. Goodby
Paige Oristano (Chinook heritage)
Denise Pouliot (Cowasuk)
Lee Richmond
Dr. Siobhan Senier
Staff
Executive Director
Dr. Lynn Clark
Deputy Director
Carolyn Bullock
Education Director
Edie Daigle
Curator
Nancy Jo Chabot
Museum Educator/Social Media
Steve Daigle
Tour Guides
Lynn Clowes
Mike Franklin
Jen Hotz
Store Manager
Joan Weinstein
Store Associate
Amy Rook
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helped to ready the entire area for opening by
doing a major cleanup.
In the Navajo rug area, Debbie Dostie provided
ideas and input, Scott Dostie built the new rug loom
(also out of a tree specially cut for the task), and
Russ Aubertin made the life-size photo blow up of
the Navajo weaver. Volunteer illustrator Leslie
Ossoff created an exquisite wall mural depicting
Mesa Verde cliff dwellings; it was amazing to watch
that mural unfold from a blank wall into a scene
that now beckons staff and visitors to walk into it –
all to give the feel of the Southwest and a sense of
the depth of Native history and how that connects
to modern Native people.
Special thanks go to businesses that provided
materials, including A&B Lumber, CorriveauRouthier Masonry, Advantage Signs, and Beckett
Glass. Generous support for this exhibit came from
David Steelman and Virginia Theo-Steelman.
new members
Ann Brooks
F. William Danby & Lynette Margesson
Linda Dohrenwend
Karen & Joel Goober
Mary McGowan
Martha Pinello
Kelly Rochford & Kristian Richardson
Lee & Jill Shepherd
Off-season volunteers
Many volunteers helped us prepare the
museum for Opening Day, May 1. These
folks cleaned artifacts, washed floors,
walls and windows, painted walls, raked
gravel, picked up fallen branches, raked
woods paths, dusted cases, and
completed many other tasks that needed
to be done before we opened the doors
for the season. Thank you all for your
donations of time and talent! Much
appreciation to:
Chris Bullock
Liz Charlebois
Larry Checchi
Lynn Clowes
Maisy Clowes-Franklin
Hears Crow
Debbie Dostie
Scott Dostie
Colin Duggan
Jessica Eshleman
Ruby Fogg
Bethany Glanville
Joyce Good
David Hartman
Linda Hartman
Richard LaFlamme
The Mackesey Family
Mekenok
Liz Mills
Sophie Potter
Lee Richmond
Margaret Schirmer
Karen Sullivan
Lauren Walter
Ginnie Warner
The Mackesey Family help with spring
clean-up of the Medicine Woods.
A special thank-you
to Dennis Antle of
Dunrite for the loan of
a mop and bucket so
that we could have
two people share the
job of washing the
gallery floors!
“You can help
ensure that
Silverstar’s
philosophy inspires
A gift for the future
You can support Mt. Kearsarge Indian
Museum for generations to come by
including us in your will or estate plan.
Chief Sachem Silverstar taught that we
each have a special power or talent to
make the world a better place. Mt.
Kearsarge Indian Museum was
founded to spread that message. You
can help ensure that Silverstar’s
philosophy inspires future generations
through a bequest to Mt. Kearsarge
Indian Museum. Your gift will join
others in a permanent fund to benefit
visitors of all ages in perpetuity.
If you wish to name Mt. Kearsarge
Indian Museum in your will or
estate plan, we should be named as:
Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, a
nonprofit corporation, organized and
existing under the laws of the state of
New Hampshire, with principal
business address of 18 Highlawn Road,
Warner, New Hampshire 03278.
future generations
through a bequest
to Mt. Kearsarge
Indian Museum.”
Our tax identification number is: 223064082
Please call Executive Director Lynn
Clark at 603-456-3244 to discuss your
planned gift to Mt. Kearsarge Indian
Museum.
3
Be a Part of the
14th Annual Intertribal Powwow
As you read this, plans are coming together for our biggest event of the year, the 14th Annual Mt.
Kearsarge Indian Museum Intertribal Powwow. The powwow runs Saturday, July 13 thru Sunday, July
14. Almost 2,000 people visit the museum over the course of the weekend, and, in order to make their
visit the most enjoyable possible, we need upwards of 65 volunteers to help the Powwow run
smoothly.
Our Powwow Committee has been working since January to make sure all the pieces are in place. The
big push comes on Friday, July 12, when the set-up happens: large tents, small tents, chairs, benches,
bleachers, trash cans, signs all must be in place before day’s end. That’s because, starting at about 8:00
am the next morning, cars begin streaming into the parking lot and need to be directed to optimize the
space in the lot and along our neighboring roadsides. As the day continues, tickets must be sold, water
and ice supplied to dancers, trash cans emptied, children’s activities run, indoor galleries hosted, and
many questions answered! And, of course, at 4:00 on Sunday afternoon, when the last dance is over,
the 2013 Intertribal Powwow has to be boxed up and put away for another year. Everything that
happened on Friday has to happen in reverse, and, perhaps because everyone is tired, it seems to take
more energy than the set-up!
Powwow is a gala weekend of high energy, spectacular regalia, graceful dancing, stirring music,
fascinating crafts, delicious food- a real feast for the senses. If you would like to be a part of it beyond
the spectator level, please consider donating a couple of hours on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. There’s
something for every type of volunteer: active physical work outdoors, sitting in the shade greeting
people, or providing a quiet presence in the peaceful, cool galleries. Let us know what kind of task feels
most comfortable for you, and we’ll find a way for you to help. And, by volunteering, you receive free
admission to the powwow! Call 456-2600x226 or email [email protected] for more
information.
Exciting News
Volunteer Lauren Walter has been with us since 2009, arriving
faithfully on Tuesdays to work in our library or collections. She was
our Volunteer of the Year for 2010, donating nearly 200 hours that
year alone. During this time, she has been pursuing her Masters
Degree in Library Science. We are pleased to share Lauren’s exciting
news that she will soon be starting a new position at the Baker-Berry
Library at Dartmouth College. No fear, Lauren assures us that she still
intends to volunteer at MKIM. Congratulations and best wishes,
Lauren!
Photo courtesy of Lauren Walter.
4
school vacation free family events
Carolyn Bullock led snowshoeing across MKIM’s grounds
during February vacation.
Families enjoyed hot chocolate after snowshoeing.
One young visitor discoversed deer tracks in the Medicine
Woods while snowshoeing.
During April school vacation author Stephen Berwick
shared teaching stories from his books about New
Hampshire native history.
One story featured a pine needle basket. Stephen passed a
tiny basket around for the kids to see and feel.
Trustee Denise Pouliot helped our young visitors create
bear and mouse puppets. Bear and mouse were
characters in the stories they heard.
5
Museum opening
Our 1st visitor of the season, anthropologist Angie
Braytenbach of South Africa receives a gift bag from
staff members Edie Daigle and Lynn Clark.
Curator Nancy Jo Chabot shows visitors the newly
renovated Southwest Gallery during our season opening
celebration on May 5.
Visitor’s admire the “Containers” exhibit in the
Contemporary Art Gallery.
Walking bear singers
at spring into warner
Above: MKIM volunteer Liz Mills
danced with powwow head man
dancer Dave Jacques.
Right: Our powwow host drum,
Walking Bear Singers, provided
music and educated bystanders
about powwow drum styles and
regalia.
Far right: Three different styles of
women’s dancing and regalia.
Free family fun days
this summer
This summer we are offering four Free Family Fun Days for family members of ALL ages. Bring your
children or grandchildren. Tell your friends!
July 10, 9am-Noon "The Powwow is Coming!"
Get ready for our Annual Intertribal Powwow. Learn about the clothing, the instruments, and the
dances that are all part of a powwow. There will be some hands-on activities and a powwow-related
craft.
July 24, 9am-Noon "Fun and Games"
What sort of games did native children in the Northeast Woodlands play? How did they learn the skills
they would need as adults. Join us to play games that kids in the Northeast Woodlands played - and still
play today!
July 31, 9am-Noon "Eating Off the Land"
What do you eat when you can't go to the grocery store to buy food? Find out during this
program. Come prepared for a walk in the woods and fields. We'll do a related craft and play a game.
August 31, 9am-Noon "Weave a Story Web"
Listen as two Native American storytellers share stories from the Northeast Woodlands. We'll do a
story-related craft. Who knows . . . maybe you'll tell your story, too!
more events
June 22
Make a Pine Bark Berry Basket
with Jennifer Lee 10am-3pm
$35 members, $50 non-members
Dress to get dirty and stained.
Bring old scissors and a lunch.
Pre-register by calling
603-456-2600.
July 13 & 14 14th Annual Intertribal
Powwow Gates open 10am,
Grand Entry at noon each day.
August 1
New Exhibit: “Reading Native Art”
Sept. 21
Harvest Moon Festival 10am-4pm
Oct. 19
Auction and Social 6:30pm
Jennifer Lee works on a bark
basket at last year’s powwow.
7
Museum store
Welcome to our newly revamped museum store.
We have a fresh coat of paint, new "toys" and books
for the kids, and a new supply of exciting works by
our local artisans.
Artwork by Gerry Biron looks beautiful on our
walls and would look even better in a new
permanent home.
Rhonda Besaw has given us some of her fantastic
beadwork. These pieces are begging to beautify the
hair and ears of some lucky woman!
Raised beadwork barrettes and beaded earrings by Rhonda
Besaw available in the museum store.
Reciprocal
admission
MKIM members can visit two New Hampshire
museums for free this summer! Take a walk
down memory lane in July at the NH Telephone
Museum in Warner. See how
telecommunication has progressed from Bell’s
first telephone to modern cell phones. For
more information call 603-456-2234 or see
their website: www.nhtelephonemuseum.com.
In August tour the Fells Historic Estate and
Gardens in Newbury. The Fells was the home of
diplomat John Milton Hay. The property today
consists of the Hay’s Colonial Revival home and
84 acres of forest and gardens overlooking Lake
Sunapee. For more information call 603-7634789 or see their website www.thefells.org.
All you need to do is show your membership
card.
We will be offering free admission to MKIM for
their members as well.
8
We have quillwork and walking sticks, pottery and
apparel patterns, books and hats and gifts galore!
Come in, see the changes and meet the gift shop
staff! Comments and requests are always
appreciated. Think of us for your gift giving needs!
Save the
date: oct. 19
Auction &
social
It’s not too early to start planning for our next Auction
and Social.
Right now we’re looking for auction items that
complement our mission in the following areas: Native
history and culture, art, environment, outdoors, ecotourism.
Contact the museum at 603-456-2600 or
[email protected].
New Exhibit Opens in the
Contemporary Art Gallery
The third exhibition in the Contemporary
Art Gallery, “Containers,” opened on May
5, in conjunction with the spring opening
of the museum. Nine artists from all over
New England have over 60 pieces on
exhibit; many of the pieces are for sale.
All are containers, or photos thereof, which
demonstrate both traditional and modern
forms and raw materials.
Julia Marden, of South Ryegate, VT, and
Vera Longtoe Sheehan, of Westminster,
VT, are exhibiting twined bags made from
fibers ranging from hand-processed rush
and milkweed, to commercially processed
cotton cord. Lina Longtoe, of Westtown,
NY, is exhibiting photographs which
document the twining process, as well as
photographs of vessels made from gourd
and wood. Denise Pouliot, of Alton, NH,
and Liz Charlebois, of Warner, NH, are
exhibiting baskets and other forms made
with brown ash and sweetgrass; Denise is
also exhibiting a pine needle basket.
Jeanne Morningstar Kent, of Winsted, CT,
presents her art through the medium of
carved and painted gourds; and Jennifer
Lee, of Plainfield, MA, through the
medium of tree bark and spruce root.
Monica Alexander, of East Otis, MA, is
exhibiting birchbark and porcupine quill
boxes. And finally, Judy Dow, of Essex
Junction, VT, is exhibiting containers made
from materials ranging from cardboard, to
wire, to waxed linen, to emu egg. We wish
to thank each of these amazing artists and
craftspeople for the opportunity to exhibit
their work.
A new aspect of the Contemporary Art
Gallery is to have members of the local
Native community guest curate the
exhibits. Liz Charlebois served as Guest
Photographer Lina Longtoe explains her work to guests at the
“Containers” opening in the Contemporary Art Gallery.
Curator for Containers. When asked to
point out an exhibit highlight, Liz
identified one case in which three
Abenaki artists interpret the same form,
but each uses different materials to do
so, from traditional ash split to cereal
box cardboard, to newspaper.
Please come see the exhibit (through
July 14), and watch MKIM’s facebook
page for posts of all of the Containers
exhibit pieces, generously
photographed by Lina Longtoe at the
exhibit opening. Special thanks to Liz
Charlebois for guest curating, and to
Chris Bullock for installation help. The
next exhibit in the Contemporary Art
Gallery is Reading Native Art, AugustOctober, 2013.
“A new aspect of
the Contemporary
Art Gallery is to
have members of
the local Native
community guest
curate the
exhibits.”
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Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum
would like to thank:
mt. kearsarge level
Grappone Management Co., Inc.
MicroDaq.com Ltd.
Public Service of New Hampshire
The Wandering Bull, LLC
Mt. Sunapee Level
Evans Expressmart
Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrel, PC
Globe Manufacturing Company
Hubert’s of New London
JP Pest Services
Kokopelli
Mascoma Savings Bank
Metzger/McGuire
Merrimack County Savings Bank
Monadnock Archaeological Consulting
Mt. Kearsarge
Indian Museum
PO Box 142
18 Highlawn Road
Warner NH 03278
603-456-2600
indianmuseum.org
[email protected]
Mount Sunapee Resort
Pelletieri Associates
Peter Smith, Auctioneer
The Scott Lawson Group
Sugar River Bank
Weaver Brothers Construction Co.
WireBelt Company of America
foundation support
Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
New Hampshire State Council on the Arts
and the National Endowment for the Arts
When you patronize these businesses, please
thank them for supporting MKIM.
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