CHESTERTOWN — As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, Washington College is opening its doors — and its archives — to help the community preserve its own storied past.
On Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., the Kohl Gallery in the Gibson Center for the Arts will host an “Heirloom Surgery,” a free conservation clinic where professional experts will provide hands-on guidance for the public’s cherished family treasures.
This unique event accompanies the current exhibition, “Washington College Collects,” which showcases the college’s role as a steward of nearly 244 years of regional history. From medical instruments used at George Washington’s deathbed to the personal effects of Eastern Shore legends, the exhibit highlights the college’s deep roots in the community since its founding in 1782.
“As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary this summer and Washington College’s own semiquincentennial in a few short years, it’s not only important for us as a community and society to look to our collective past, but to use those stories to drive our future narratives,” said Bryan Matthews, the college’s interim president.
Matthews said “’Washington College Collects’ is a step toward our strategic goal of using the diverse coastal history of this region to inspire public apprenticeships, research and community engagement.”
The importance of the event was recently highlighted by a visit from Chestertown Mayor Meghan Efland, who stopped by the gallery with a delicate dress that belonged to her great-great-grandmother.
Efland’s visit served as a preview of the “Heirloom Surgery,” demonstrating how even the most fragile family artifacts can be preserved for future generations with the right professional care. A video of her visit can be found here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpeg1vpKcpc&feature=youtu.be.
The “Heirloom Surgery” will feature a panel of experts ready to consult with the public, including professional textile and object conservators and a book restoration specialist. These experts will offer advice on stabilizing fading photographs, protecting brittle documents and cleaning vintage quilts or clothing.
The “Washington College Collects” exhibition was conceived and curated by a collaborative team led by Kohl Gallery Director Robert Blackson with Lindsay Sheldon, the Miller Library’s director of archives and technical services, with significant curatorial assistance from student intern Morgan Link.
“Washington College’s archive has been a trusted keeper of beloved personal collections largely drawn from the Eastern Shore,” said Blackson. “Building on the success of this exhibit, our hope is to aggressively continue gathering beloved collections of this region in order to maintain and preserve these gifted collections for the scholarly benefit of future generations.”
Members of the public are encouraged to bring one or two items for a free consultation. The event is open to all.
