NORWICH – The Chenango County Historical Society Museum has opened several exhibits featuring a collection newly-acquired pieces and artifacts that had long been in storage.
The exhibits are open to the public during regular museum hours or by special appointment.
The new pieces include clothing made at the Norwich Knitting Mill that feature logos from products created at the Norwich Pharmacy, like Pepto-Bismal. There’s also a compilation of research materials and photographs of the 114th Civil War regiment from Chenango County, as well as industrial and railroad artifacts.
Museum educator Diane Hamblin said she’s particularly excited about a donation of uniform articles worn by Norwich-native Thomas Famolaro during World War I.
“In particular, the knitted vest he wore,” said Hamblin. “It was likely homemade. Which is something families and volunteer knitting circles would do for soldiers from home to keep them from getting damp in the trenches.”
Hamblin said soldiers would often send home sewing instructions. But, she pointed out, the soldiers didn’t often keep such pieces of clothing once the war was over.
“They didn’t give them value like they gave the regular uniform,” she said. “We lucky to have this piece.”
There’s also an exhibit is of everyday tin ware from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, inspired by a recent donation of utensils produced between 1900-1940 by well-known Smyrna Tinsmith Charles Doll.
“We want to show the importance of tin ware in the as it related to household cooking utensils and other equipment,” said educator Diane Hamblin.
Hamblin said tin was popular because it was lightweight, easy to work with and less expensive than cast iron. The prize of the collection is an old rotisserie cooker, likely used in the late 1700s and early 1800s, when people still cooked next to fire places.
“Originally it would have been very shiny,” explained Museum Director Dr. David Drucker, describing the cooker. “The heat would reflect off the tin surface and back onto the spigot.”
The museum is also showing a “Church and Community” exhibit, highlighting a range of pieces that represent the religious and social importance of churches in Chenango County.
“The social aspect of churches is important,” said Drucker. “The churches were often the focal points of the community. They have been part of life in Chenango County since the inception of the county.”
The collection features relics, photos and artifacts gathered from community congregations in Norwich and the surrounding rural townships, some of which no longer exist.
“We tried to represent a number of churches throughout Chenango County, not just the Norwich area,” said Hamblin, who pointed to communion sets from the North Pitcher Congregational Church and photograph albums from church socials in Smyrna. Chalices, commemorative pieces and a variety of congregational cookbooks are also on display.
The museum is located at 45 Rexford St. in Norwich. It’s open from 1-5 p.m. Monday to Friday.