3 August 2023 to 14 August 2023 - East Wareham MA to Concord MA
Part 4 - Harvard and Glass Flowers
We finished up our tour of the Boston area visiting the Harvard Natural History Museum. Many, many years ago, I read an article in the Smithsonian magazine about a collection of glass flowers that had been created starting in the 1880s for Harvard's Botanical department. I was intrigued with the realism and beauty of the specimens. It became a must see item for me when we decided to go on this trip. I was not disappointed. We took the opportunity to take a self-guided tour of the campus, which focused on the history of the university. Lots of young people taking tours or walking around with their parents - potential future students. Now on to the western side of Massachusetts to visit Norman Rockwell land. I think I will be glad to get back to the small towns and beautiful countryside.
A father and son Czech team worked for the Harvard Botanical Department for close to 50 years and created glass specimens of over 780 species of plants. Samples are on permanent display in the Harvard Natural History Museum. Extremely fragile, the collection is in a constant state of restoration and repair.
The detail in the shapes and colors is amazing.
In addition to plants, examples of insects were created. This is a larva of some bug expanded about 30 times. This is ALL glass. The detail is just amazing. I am impressed with the skills of the restorers in handling such delicate items.
The colors aren't as vibrant as they are in life. Part of this is because the exhibit is kept in low light to protect the paint and part is because the colors have faded over the years.
The father/son duo created many new techniques for glass making and coloring throughout the 50 year effort. Just look at the veins in the maple leaves. In the early days, these were painted using materials that deteriorated over time. Restoration often uses newer techniques that should last longer.
These apples looked so realistic. Up close you could even see the puckering of the apple flesh as apples start to dry out.
This was a typical display - the plant and expanded samples of seeds in various stages and flower pieces.
Next to the glass flower exhibit was the rock room. I always enjoy looking at the pretty rocks. They had a pretty good display.
An Ammolite from Southern Alberta, Canada. It is about 80 million years old.
After the visit to the Natural History Museum, we had lunch at the neighboring labs building. In the cafeteria, there was a life size model of the giant Pacific octopus. It was created around 1883. Previously, the model was hanging from a classroom, and it was deteriorating. Made of papier-mâché and rubber, pieces were falling off. So, it was restored and put on display recently in the lab building.
Harvard was initially surrounded by a wall and entrance was through one of six gates.
This status is called "Three Lies". First lie, it is supposed to be John Harvard, but no one knew what Harvard looked like, so a model was used. Second, the statue base says Harvard was the founder of the college, but actually, he provided land and resources for some of Harvard. Third, Harvard wasn't founded in 1638. It was originally called the New College when it was founded in 1636. It was named Harvard in 1639. Nevertheless, student have rubbed the shoes shiny for luck on upcoming exams.
Russ was checking to see if the pump actually pumps water (it doesn't.) This is a reproduction of the original pump used in the yard during the early days.
One of the most striking buildings is the Memorial Hall, built to honor Harvard men who died in defense of the Union during the Civil War. It has become a Boston symbol of anti-slavery, hosting many abolitionists of the day. It has beautiful stained-glass windows, but we weren't able to view them because the building was closed.
Harvard Yard, the oldest part of the campus, contains most freshman dorms, the most important libraries and the oldest buildings still in use.
