Date: Fri 29-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: JAN

Quick Words:

Booth-Library-exhibits

Full Text:

Library Presents Two New Exhibits

(with cuts)

BY JAN HOWARD

The Cyrenius H. Booth Library is featuring two new exhibits during the month

of February, mounted by library collections curator Caroline Stokes.

An exhibit featuring Abraham Lincoln memorabilia during President's Month is

located near the circulation desk on the second floor.

The exhibit is mounted on an American flag, featuring 39 stars, from the

library's collection, which is dated 1895 and labeled Mary Elizabeth Hawley.

One of the photographs in the collection honoring the president is a color

lithograph created by Robert Hallock, who died in 1980. According to Mrs

Stokes, he was president of the Lithographers Guild of America and designed

the logo of the rooster at the time of Newtown's bicentennial.

A large poster inviting citizens of Alexandria, Va. and vicinity to

participate in the "obsequies" of the late president belonged to Mrs Stokes'

husband's great-grandfather, who was the grand marshal of the parade.

"It shows the great attention shown to Lincoln at that time," Mrs Stokes said.

The exhibit also features a draft of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

A single-line portrait of Lincoln by Tom Fleming is also included in the

exhibit. The engraving of Lincoln is formed of one single continuous line from

center to circumference. It was modeled after a famous head of Christ created

by Claude Mellan in 1649.

Photographs of President Lincoln at different ages include the earliest

portrait, showing him beardless. It was copied from a daguerreotype taken when

Lincoln was between 35 and 40. The photograph was owned by his son, Robert. It

was reproduced and copyrighted in 1895.

The collection also features a copy of a letter from the president expressing

his condolences to Mrs Bixby of Boston, who had lost five sons in the Civil

War.

Hooked Rugs

Hooked rugs by Jean Tynan of Redding are on exhibit until February 20 in the

display case located near the children's room on the first floor.

Mrs Tynan, who conducts rug hooking classes and dyeing workshops in her home,

has been involved with the craft since 1978. She can be reached at 938-0538.

As well as conducting classes, Mrs Tynan also presents workshops and presents

lectures on the craft. She markets her creations through decorators and

personal contacts.

She has exhibited in the Americana exhibit at Shelbourne, Vt. and in other

shows in New York.

She specializes in primitive rugs, which can be used either as wall hangings

or as carpets.

"It's fascinating," she said.

"I had been interested in it for years since I had seen it in a women's

magazine, but I couldn't find a teacher," she said. She eventually found one

who lived near her in New York through Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts.

She has studied her craft at Green Mountain International Rug School in

Randolph Center, Vt.

She is past president of the Towpath Rug Hooking Association in New York and

the Coral Reef Ruggers in Florida. She moved to Connecticut in September from

Miami.

She is the author of the book Dyeing for Primitive Rug Hooking , which was

published in 1984 and, according to the author, is still being sold.

"It is a traditional craft," Ms Tynan said recently. "It is a textile art

indigenous to the North American continent." Ms Tynan said it is believed the

craft came to North America from the Vikings, via England and New England.

"They wear very well because they are made from 100 percent wool," she said.

Though there are several types of frames that can be used for rug hooking, Ms

Tynan said, "A hoop is a good thing to start with."

While present day rug makers use a hook similar to a crochet hook, colonial

women used bent nails, she said. Early rug makers also used old clothing to

create their hooked rugs, cutting or tearing the strips of material by hand.

Once broadlooms were invented, hooked rugs lost their popularity, Ms Tynan

said. She said it was Ralph Burnham in the 1930s who started collecting them.

"We have him to thank for preserving old rugs," she said.

Ms Tynan creates copies of early hooked rugs, noting, "It's history under

foot."