Varnum Military Museum | Carpenter Museum
Season 2 Episode 204 | 28m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
Varnum Military Museum in East Greenwich, RI; the Carpenter Museum in Rehoboth, MA.
The Varnum Military Museum in East Greenwich is home to an extensive collection of rare military pieces dating back to the earliest days of the American Revolution. There is also a look at delicate textile conservation. A visit to the Carpenter Museum in Rehoboth, MA, includes cooking period food on an open hearth and celebrating the Rehoboth Milkmaids, an all-women’s soft women’s softball team.
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Treasures Inside The Museum is a local public television program presented by Ocean State Media
Varnum Military Museum | Carpenter Museum
Season 2 Episode 204 | 28m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
The Varnum Military Museum in East Greenwich is home to an extensive collection of rare military pieces dating back to the earliest days of the American Revolution. There is also a look at delicate textile conservation. A visit to the Carpenter Museum in Rehoboth, MA, includes cooking period food on an open hearth and celebrating the Rehoboth Milkmaids, an all-women’s soft women’s softball team.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> THERE'S A RARE HELMET THAT DATES BACK TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
THIS BIBLE CONTAINS ONE SOLDIER'S PERSONAL DIARY AND DESCRIBES HOW HE FELT PREPARING FOR GETTYSBURG.
WE WILL GET AN INSIDE LOOK AT TEXTILE CONSERVATION.
AND LATER, THE ROLE THIS DRUM PLAYED IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
THIS IS "TREASURES INSIDE THE MUSEUM."
♪ >> AT THE END OF MAIN STREET IN DOWNTOWN SITS A GRAND OLD BRICK BUILDING.
WITH ITS RED BRICK WALLS AND LARGE WOODEN DOORS, IT IS AS SECURE AS IT IS STATELY.
THIS IS THE MEMORIAL ARMORY.
FROM 1918 TO 1996, THIS BUILDING WAS LEASED BY THE STATE TO HOUSE UNITS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD.
TODAY, IT IS THE HOME OF THE CONTINENTALS MILITARY MUSEUM, PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE MILITARY HISTORY OF OUR NATION, AS SEEN THROUGH THE EXPERIENCES OF RHODE ISLANDERS WHO SERVED.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY THINK OF A MILITARY MUSEUM THEY JUST THINK OF GUNS AND FLAGS AND UNIFORMS, BUT THAT IS NOT WHERE THE MAGIC IS IN MY VIEW, IT IS THE STORIES BEHIND THEM, THE PEOPLE THAT USED THEM.
FORTUNATELY, FOR A LOT OF OUR COLLECTION, WE KNOW WHO USED THEM AND IT ALLOWS US TO BUILD A MUCH RICHER EXPERIENCE AND TO MAKE A CONNECTION TO THE PAST.
>> THESE OBJECTS ARE NOT JUST COLD PIECES OF WOOD AND STEEL, PAINTED FLAGS, THEY REPRESENT REAL PEOPLE JUST LIKE THEM OR HAVE THE SAME NEEDS AND WANTS THAT THEY DO, THEY HAVE CHILDREN, THEY GET COLD WHEN IT'S COLD OUT, THEY GET RAINED ON, AND THE ANSWER THEIR COUNTRY'S CALL, THEY MADE A NORMA SACRIFICES.
AND THEY DIDN'T NECESSARILY DO IT FOR THEMSELVES, THEY DID IT FOR OTHER PEOPLE.
>> IT TELLS US WHO USED THE OBJECT, WHO IT BELONGED TO, WAS IT AN EVENT.
IT ALLOWS US TO TELL A MUCH RICHER STORY ABOUT AN OBJECT.
>> INSIDE ONE OF THE MAIN EXHIBIT HALLS, THE COLLECTION INCLUDES ABOUT 200 RIFLES AND PISTOLS.
ABOUT 75 SWORDS, AND AN ASSORTMENT OF OTHER WEAPONS.
THERE'S ONE RIFLE IN THE COLLECTION THAT IS HISTORICALLY MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN ALL THE REST.
THIS IS A MODEL 1863 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE, USED DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
>> THIS RIFLE IS WELL DOCUMENTED TO HAVE BEEN CARRIED BY ISAAC JAMES WINTERS OF THE 43RD TROOPS.
IN OUR RESEARCH, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND ONLY ONE OTHER EXAMPLE OUT THERE THAT'S DOCUMENTED TO HAVE BEEN CARRIED BY AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN SOLDIER IN THE CIVIL WAR.
SO THIS IS ONE OF 2 WE BELIEVE THAT EXECS TODAY, MAKING IT VERY RARE AND VERY SPECIAL.
ISAAC WAS OUTSIDE OF PHILADELPHIA, A FREE MAN, A FARM LABORER.
HE WAS MARRIED.
HAD TWO VERY YOUNG CHILDREN.
>> BEGINNING IN 1863, ISAAC CARRIED THIS RIFLE AS HE FOUGHT IN AND SURVIVED SEVERAL HORRIFIC BATTLES.
>> AT THE BATTLE OF THE CRATER, IN THE VICINITY OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA, IN 1864, HE'S HIT BY AN ARTILLERY SHELL.
A SHELL FRAGMENT WOUNDS HIM IN THE SHOULDER.
HE ENDS UP IN THE HOSPITAL FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
HE COULD HAVE GONE HOME.
BUT INSTEAD, HE STAYS WITH HIS UNIT, RETURNS TO DUTY, AND HE')S THERE JUST IN TIME TO BE PART OF THE SURRENDER THAT TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE CONFEDERATE GENERAL ROBERT ELY AND ULYSSES AS GRANT.
THIS WEAPON HAS BEEN WITNESS TO SOME OF THE MOST EPIC EVENTS IN THE CIVIL WAR.
IT'S ON MESSED WITH.
NO ONE HAS CLEANED IT OR SANDED IT.
IT HAS ALL THE ORIGINAL OLD PATINA.
VERY INTERESTINGLY, ON THE STOCK, HE ACTUALLY CARVED HIS INITIALS, I.J.W.
COMPANY F 43RD.
ONE OF HIS MEN HAD NOTED, "THE 43RD WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN LIBERATING SOME 500 OF OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS FROM HUMAN BONDAGE.
THE ENSLAVED SUBLET FACES AND HANDS CARRYING THE TOOLS OF REVOLUTION AND FREEDOMS AND SAID IT SEEMED TO THEM LIKE HEAVEN, SO GREATLY DID THEY REALIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SLAVERY AND FREEDOM."
>> ANOTHER EXHIBIT FROM THE CIVIL WAR REPRESENTS A VERY VIOLENT MOMENT FROZEN IN TIME.
THIS IS A PAIR OF COTTON GLOVES, SOAKED IN THE BLOOD OF A LIEUTENANT FROM RHODE ISLAND, WHO WAS SHOT AT THE FIRST BATTLE OF BULL RUN.
THE FIRST MAJOR BATTLE OF THE CIVIL WAR.
>> THEY WERE TOGETHER IN THE SAME BRIGADE.
MARCHING ADVANCING TOWARD THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE LINE.
THE FIRST VOLLEY THE CONFEDERATES FIRED INTO THE RHODE ISLANDERS, HENRY P. WAS SHOT THROUGH THE HEAD.
STANDING BEHIND HENRY AT THAT MOMENT WAS PRIVATE WILLIAM D., WEARING THESE VERY COTTON GLOVES.
HE FALLS BACK IN HIS ARMS.
HE CATCHES HIM, LOWERS HIM TO THE GROUND.
COMPLETELY FREEZE.
IT'S THE FIRST GUY IN THEIR UNIT TO BE HIT INCOME BUT.
THEY ARE IN SHOCK.
-- HIT IN COMBAT.
THEY ARE IN SHOCK.
HIS BODY WAS LEFT IN THE BATTLEFIELD.
HE WOULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST 10 RHODE ISLANDERS TO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.
SO THAT VIOLENT MOMENT IS CAPTURED IN THIS PAIR OF GLOVES TODAY.
IT'S AMAZING THAT THEY STILL EXIST TODAY.
>> THESE GLOVES ARE A SOMBER REMINDER OF THE SACRIFICE SO MANY AMERICANS WERE WILLING TO MAKE AT WHAT ABRAHAM LINCOLN REFERRED TO AS THE ALTAR OF FREEDOM.
THE GLOVES ARE PART OF A LARGER COLLECTION OF CIVIL WAR TEXTILE TREASURES THAT INCLUDE SEVERAL HATS AND UNIFORMS.
>> THIS IS CAPTAIN JAMES CHASE DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
HIS BROTHER ACTUALLY TAILORED HIS UNIFORM.
FOR HIM.
>> TIME AND IN PROPER STORAGE CAN BE THE ENEMY OF OLD TEXTILES.
-- IMPOROPER -- IMPROPER STORAGE CAN BE THE ENEMY OF ALL TEXTILES.
>> N-- MOTHS CAN FIND WOOL VERY TASTY.
ANYWHERE THERE IS A CREASE, THEY WILL EITHER -- LAY THEIR EGGS, THE LARVAE HATCH, THEN THE LARVA START TO EAT THE WOOL.
THIS WHOLE AREA HAS SEEN A LOT OF MOTH DAMAGE.
WHEN YOU FILL THOSE AREAS AND CONSERVE THEM AND MAKE IT SO THE DAMAGE WON'T HE MADE WORSE BY BEING ON DISPLAY, THE GOAL IS TO STABILIZE THE LARGE HOLES.
YOU CAN MAKE IT AESTHETICALLY SO THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THE WHOLE COAT INSTEAD OF THE HOLES THAT ARE IN ITS.
PEOPLE DON'T COME INTO A MUSEUM AND THINK THAT'S DIRTY, THAT'S GROSS.
AND THEY START LOOKING AT THINGS AND THINKING, WOW, CAN YOU IMAGINE THE STATURE OF THE MAN WITH HIS SHOULDERS BACK, READY TO GET ON HIS HORSE AND RIDE OFF INTO BATTLE?
BECAUSE THIS UNIFORM ACTUALLY SAW BATTLE.
>> PRESERVING TEXTILES CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING FOR ANY MUSEUM.
>> TEXTILE CONSERVATION IS ABOUT PRESERVING OBJECTS FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE SO THAT GENERATIONS FROM NOW, PEOPLE CAN STILL APPRECIATE THE HISTORY BEHIND THEM.
AND YOU WILL KEEP THEM FROM CONTINUING TO DEGRADE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
CHIP: ANOTHER -- >> ANOTHER FRAGILE ARTIFACT IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST PERSONAL.
THIS IS THE BIBLE OF PRIVATE ALFRED GARDNER.
>> HE WAS MARRIED, HAD FIVE CHILDREN.
FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
HE ENLISTS IN BATTERY B.
HE'S KIND OF OLD COMPARED TO THE OTHER MEN IN HIS UNIT.
A LOT OF THE LETTERS HE WROTE TO HIS FAMILY MEMBERS STILL EXIST TODAY.
YOU CAN REALLY KIND OF GET A SENSE OF WHO THIS PERSON WAS, THEIR PERSONALITY.
VERY LIKABLE GUY, VERY GOOD-NATURED.
HE HAD THIS FAMILY BIBLE.
HE CARRIED IT IN THE POCKET OF HIS COAT EVERY DAY OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.
AS A MEMBER OF BATTERY B, HE WAS A WITNESS TO EVERY MAJOR BATTLE IN THE EASTERN AREA OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS OF THE WAR.
AND HE USED THE BIBLE AS A DIARY.
SO WHEN THE MARGINS OF THE PAGES -- IN THE MARGINS OF THE PAGES, HE WOULD WRITE LITTLE MESSAGES MOSTLY TO HIS CHILDREN.
♪ >> AT 1:00 P.M. ON JULY 3, 1863, AT THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, THE RHODE ISLAND BATTERY CAME UNDER ATTACK FROM CONFEDERATE CANNONS.
>> ALFRED'S BATTERY BEGINS TO RETURN FIRE AT SOME POINT DURING THIS BARRAGE.
AND ALFRED REACHES OVER THE CARRIAGE OF HIS GUN TO GRAB A COTTON BAG FILLED WITH GUNPOWDER, TO LOAD THEIR CANON.
HE'S TURNING AROUND.
JUST AS HE WAS ABOUT TO PUT THE GUNPOWDER INTO THE TUBE, A CONFEDERATE ALTAR REALLY -- ARTILLERY SHELL STRIKES THE MUZZLE OF ALFRED'S GUN AND EXPLODES.
IT WOUNDS ALFRED, TEARS HIS ARM OFF BELOW HIS LEFT SHOULDER.
HE FALLS DOWN ON HIS BACK.
HE'S BLEEDING TO DEATH.
HE STILL CONSCIOUS.
-- HE IS STILL CONSCIOUS.
ALBERT VENCE DOWNTOWN FRED, THEY GRABBED HANDS, AND THE FIRST WORDS OUT OF ALFRED'S MOUTH WAS, PLEASE TELL MY WIFE I DAD HAPPY.
THE VERY NEXT NIGHT, HE SAYS, PLEASE ENSURE SHE GETS MY BIBLE.
ALBERT TURNS HIS BACK TO ALFRED, AND AS HE'S WALKING BACK TO THE GUN, HE HEARS HIM YELL OUT, GLORY BE TO GOD, HALLELUJAH, AMEN, AMEN, AND HE DIES.
THE LAST ENTRY THAT IS WRITTEN IN THERE, IT SAYS IN PENCIL, JULY 2, 1863, GETTYSBURG, THIN LINE OF BATTLE.
IN BATTERY READY FOR ACTION.
I AM WELL AND BODY -- WELL IN BODY AND MY MIND IS CLEAR ABOUT THE FUTURE.
THE PROSPECT OF HEAVEN CHEERED ME ON THIS MARCH.
NOW CHILDREN, BE OF GOOD CHEER.
ALWAYS DO RIGHT.
THIS IS THE WISH OF YOUR FATHER.
THAT WAS THE LAST THING HE WROTE IN THAT BIBLE FOR HIS FAMILY.
WHEN YOU READ THESE THINGS, YOU COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND WHY HE WANTED SO BADLY FOR HIS FAMILY TO GET THIS BIBLE BACK.
IT DID GO BACK TO HIS WIFE.
IT'S A TRUE SYMBOL OF THE SACRIFICE I THINK THAT RHODE ISLAND AND NEW ENGLAND IN GENERAL MADE DURING THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.
>> THERE IS A DRUM THAT WILLIAM GREEN OF PROVIDENCE USED AT FREDERICKSBURG AND A COLLECTION THAT BELONGED TO A GENTLEMAN WHO SIGNED UP FOR THE CAVALRY WHEN HE WAS 13 YEARS OLD.
WHAT ISLAND HAS A RICH AND PROUD HISTORY WHEN IT COMES TO THE CIVIL WAR.
EACH PIECE THAT IS SUCCESSFULLY CONSERVED REPRESENTS ANOTHER CHAPTER OF OUR HISTORY THAT IS SAVED.
>> THIS FLAG CAME FROM BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND.
IT IS FROM THE GAR, THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
IT IS POSTER NUMBER 15.
THIS LOOKS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION NOW, BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY VERY CRUMPLED UP.
THIS WHOLE SIDE AND THAT WHOLE SIDE WERE ACCORDIONED IN ON THEMSELVES INTO A THREEFOLD PAMPHLET.
ALL OF THE LETTERING WAS CURLING UP.
THE DOTS WERE BASICALLY GONE.
THE ANCHOR WAS CURLING UP AT THE SIDES.
IT WAS JUST IN VERY BAD SHAPE.
WE ARE AT THE STAGE HERE WHERE I HAVE FLATTENED IT AND GLUED EVERYTHING DOWN.
YOU START OUT WITH SOMETHING THAT JUST LOOKS HOPELESS.
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE SAY, IS THAT A LOST CAUSE?
IF YOU CAN SAVE IT AND TO BRING IT BACK AND MAKE IT SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE AND APPRECIATE, IT'S NOT JUST IN A BOX ANYMORE, THAT IS VERY SATISFYING.
I LOVE WHAT I CAN TAKE A UNIFORM THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE DETERIORATING AND DESTROYED AND UNSALVAGEABLE IN ANOTHER 10 OR 20 YEARS BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION IT WAS IN AND CONSERVE IT AND MAKE IT SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE AND APPRECIATE AND UNDERSTAND A PART OF HISTORY BETTER BECAUSE THERE IS THAT FLAG, BECAUSE THERE IS AT UNIFORM NOW.
THAT IS WHAT KEEPS ME GOING.
IT MAKES ME HAPPY.
♪ >> THE CONSERVED FLAG WILL JOIN OTHERS IN THE COLLECTION HERE.
INCLUDING THIS V-SHAPED FLAG THAT WAS CAPTURED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA CAVALRY IN 1863.
♪ ANOTHER GALLERY HERE IS DEDICATED TO THE TWO WORLD WARS.
EXHIBITS INCLUDE A SAMPLE OF WEAPONS, COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, POSTERS, AND HELMETS AND UNIFORMS, WORN BY LOCAL VETERANS .
ONE SUCH UNIFORM OR MEMBERS NOT ONLY THE SERVICE, BUT ALSO THE LIFE OF A LOCAL WORLD WAR I VETERAN.
♪ >> HAVE THE UNIFORM OF JESSE W. HE JOINED THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES.
HE WAS AT THE 78TH DIVISION.
HE FOUGHT AT THE BATTLE OF [INDISCERNIBLE] >> ON SEPTEMBER 2 ANY FIRST 1918, JESSE'S UNIT WAS ENGAGING THE ENEMY WHEN A HAND GRENADE WAS TOSSED IN HIS DIRECTION AND WENT OFF.
>> HE WAS BLINDED IN THE ATTACK.
HIS WOUNDS CAUSED HIM TO LOSE HIS SITE.
WHICH WAS BETTER THAN SOME OF HIS COMRADES, WHO DIED IN THE BATTLE.
JESSE HAD EVERY OPPORTUNITY AFTER THE WAR.
TO BE BITTER ABOUT HIS CIRCUMSTANCES.
BUT HE WASN'T.
HE TOOK ON THE CHALLENGES FROM HIS WOUNDS.
OVERCAME THEM.
OVERCAME THOSE CHALLENGES AND EXCELLED.
BY HAVING THIS UNIFORM HERE, CERTAINLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TENS AND THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO SERVED OVERSEAS, WHO FACED ADVERSITY, AND THEY CAME HOME, AND WHO OVERCAME THAT, READOPTED BACK INTO CIVILIAN LIFE AND ENJOYED THE PEACEFUL SOCIETY WHICH THEY FOUGHT FOR AND SERVED.
>> THE COLLECTION SPANS SEVERAL CENTURIES, GOING BACK TO THE VERY EARLIEST DAYS OF OUR NATION.
THERE'S A LETTER WRITTEN IN 1781 BY AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN SOLDIER IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, WRITING TO HIS FORMER OWNER.
IN IT, THOMAS TALKS ABOUT THE TOLL OF WAR ON HIS MIND AND BODY AND ASKS FOR HELP GETTING A DISCHARGE.
ANOTHER RARE PIECE FROM THE REVOLUTION IS THIS LEATHER HELMET.
>> THIS, YOU CAN ARGUABLY SAY IS THAT MOST HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT OBJECT IN OUR ENTIRE COLLECTION.
A LEATHER ARTILLERY HELMET WORN DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
BY AN OFFICER IN THE UNITED TRAIN ARTILLERY MILITIA.
THEY WERE FORMED APRIL 22, 1775, LITERALLY THREE DAYS AFTER THE SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD AT LEXINGTON AND CONCORD -- IN CONCORD THAT STARTED THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE BEGINNINGS OF THE AMERICAN MILITARY.
IT'S AN UNUSUAL DESIGN.
ON THE FRONT OF THE BILL, UNDERNEATH, YOU HAVE THE RHODE ISLAND ANCHOR ON THE FRONT, AND UNDERNEATH IT IN LATIN, IT SAYS "IN GOD WE HOPE."
THIS IS THE MILITIA MOTTO AT THE TIME.
LATER IT WAS SHORTENED TO "HOPE."
THAT IS WHERE OUR STATE'S MOTTO COMES FROM TODAY.
>> WHETHER IT IS NEW ITEMS BEING ADDED TO THE COLLECTION OR RESEARCHING EXISTING PIECES, CAPTIVATING STORIES ARE DISCOVERED EVERY DAY.
♪ ♪ >> BEHIND ONE OF THE MANY STONEWALLS THAT DEFINE MASSACHUSETTS IS A HOUSE THAT IS FULL OF STORIES.
THIS IS THE HOME OF THE CARPENTER MUSEUM.
A SMALL AND UNASSUMING CAMPUS WITH A COLLECTION WHOSE ROOTS RUN DEEP.
>> THE CARPENTER MUSEUM IS A SMALL HISTORY MUSEUM, KIND OF IN THE RURAL COUNTRY OF MASSACHUSETTS, PART OF THE ORIGINAL PLYMOUTH COLONY.
SO WHAT HAS A REALLY RICH -- SO IT HAS A REALLY RICH, REALLY LONG HISTORY THAT DATES BACK FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE UNITED STATES, BEFORE IT WAS THE UNITED STATES.
>> IT HAS A COLLECTION OF OVER 6000 PIECES.
IT STARTED IN 1884 WITH A MINISTER, GEORGE TILTON.
>> SINCE THOSE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, THE COLLECTION HAS GROWN.
OFTEN WITH PIECES FOUND IN LOCAL BARNES AND ATTICS.
>> THE HISTORY OF THE TOWN IS REFLECTIVE OF THE HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND, WHICH IS REFLECTIVE OF THE HISTORY OF THE U.S. >> ONE OF THE MUSEUM'S HIGHLIGHTED PIECES IS ALSO ONE OF THE OLDEST.
THIS ARE IN CATTLE WAS USED FOR COOKING OVER AN OPEN FIRE.
SINCE 1718, IT HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE GENERATIONS OF A SINGLE-FAMILY.
BUT IT'S EARLIEST ORIGINS ARE CONNECTED TO THE NATIVE AMERICANS IN THE AREA.
>> KETTLES LIKE THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN TREATED WITH COLONISTS, BECAUSE NATIVE AMERICANS DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS OR THE TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE CAST-IRON KETTLES.
>> THIS PARTICULAR PIECE HAS PASSED TO ONE OF THE MEMBER'S OF THE COLONIAL AREA.
>> KING PHILIP'S CATTLE.
-- KETTLE.
INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES WOULD NOT HAVE KETTLES LIKE THIS.
THIS WOULD BE SHARED AMONG SEVERAL FAMILIES.
WHILE THIS DIDN'T BELONG SPECIFICALLY TO KING PHILIP, IT BELONGED TO HIS TRIBE.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN USED TO COOK OVER AN OPEN FIRE.
>> THAT PERIOD INCLUDED THE TIME LEADING UP TO KING PHILIP'S WAR.
>> KING PHILIP'S WAR WAS THE BLOODIEST WAR IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
THIS KETTLE WAS TAKEN BY THE CAPTAIN EARLY IN THE BLOODY CONFLICT AS A WAR PRIZE FROM KING PHILIP'S TRIBE.
IT WAS HANDED DOWN THROUGH FAMILIES FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY CAME TO THE CARPENTER MUSEUM.
>> THERE'S A COLLECTION OF WEAPONS HERE THAT DATES BACK TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
AND A DRUM THAT WAS USED TO COMMUNICATE ORDERS.
>> THIS IS A REVOLUTIONARY WAR DRUM.
IT WAS OWNED BY JOSEPH HIRAM PIERCE.
HE WAS A TEENAGER WHEN HE USED IT IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
♪ IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, A DRUMMER BOY HAD A VERY IMPORTANT JOB.
HIS JOB WAS TO COMMUNICATE TROOP MOVEMENTS ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
SO HIS DRUM CALL COLD BE HEARD OVER PEOPLE SHOUTING, OVER PEOPLE SCREAMING, OVER GUNFIRE.
AND HIS ROLE WAS TO TAKE WHAT THE COMMANDER WAS TELLING HIM AND TRANSFER THAT INFORMATION WITH HIS DRUM CALL TO THE SOLDIERS ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
I THINK IT IS A FANTASTIC PIECE.
I THINK IT IS JUST AMAZING THAT THIS DRUM WAS USED BY A NATIVE.
>> THERE'S A RECREATION OF AN OLD KITCHEN THAT DOUBLES AS AN EXHIBIT SPACE FOR A COLLECTION OF EARLY AMERICAN HOUSEWARES.
IT INCLUDES AN ASSORTMENT OF TOOLS AND OTHER ESSENTIALS, COMPLETE WITH A WORKING HEARTH.
>> THE FIRE IS GOING.
>> IT IS HERE ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS THAT HISTORY COMES TO LIFE.
TODAY'S MENU INCLUDES GINGERBREAD.
>> GINGERBREAD HAS GOT TO HAVE SOME GINGER IN IT.
>> VISITORS WITNESS ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS BEING MIXED TOGETHER AND PLACED INTO A BAKING DISH INSIDE A DUTCH OVEN THAT IS COVERED WITH HOT COALS.
♪ >> HERE WE HAVE GINGERBREAD.
PEOPLE GET A BETTER SENSE OF THE FACT THAT PEOPLE IN THE PAST WERE REAL PEOPLE.
THEY CAN EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE DID.
>> ANOTHER TREASURE HERE IS THIS PAINTING.
IT IS NOT SO MUCH WITH THE PORTRAIT PORTRAYS, BUT WHO PAINTED IT.
>> GILBERT'S TORT WAS THE PREEMINENT -- GILBERT'S TO WORK WAS THE PREEMINENT PORTRAITIST FROM THE ERA.
THEY KNOW HIS WORK EVEN IF THEY DON'T KNOW HIS NAME, BECAUSE HE PAINTED OUR FOUNDING FATHERS, INCLUDING GEORGE WASHINGTON, WHOSE PORTRAIT ENDED UP ON THE DOLLAR BILL.
THIS IS A PAINTING OF ELIZA DEVEREAUX.
SHE WAS MARRIED TO HUMPHREY DEVEREAUX.
THEY BOTH LIVED IN SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.
ELIZA'S HUSBAND HUMPHREY WAS A MERCHANT THERE.
>> HER HUSBAND'S PORTRAIT WAS ALSO PAINTED BY STUART.
BUT THAT PAINTING IS MISSING.
HIS WORK IS USUALLY FOUND IN PLACES LIKE THE SMITHSONIAN OR THE RHODE ISLAND STATE CAPITAL.
>> HE DID AROUND 1000 PORTRAITS THROUGH HIS CAREER.
AND SO, FOR A SMALL BUT PROUD COUNTRY MUSEUM LIKE THE CARPENTER MUSEUM HERE, TO HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF HIS WORK IS FANTASTIC.
IT'S GREAT TO SHARE IT WITH OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY, WHO CAN COME AND SEE IT HANGING IN OUR GALLERY.
>> IN ADDITION TO THE PAINTINGS, ARTIFACTS, AND EXHIBITS, THE CARPETS ARE MUSEUM ALSO MAINTAINS A COLLECTION OF ARCHIVES THAT DOCUMENT THE HISTORY OF THE LOCAL AREA.
IT IS A PLACE WHERE FAMILIES AND RESEARCHERS CAN DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED HERE BEFORE THEM.
>> WE GET A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES DOING GENEALOGICAL HISTORY ON THEIR OWN FAMILIES.
THEY TRACE THEIR ROOTS BACK TO HERE.
THIS PERSON'S NAME IS SAMUEL BAKER JUNIOR.
I FIRST USED THE RECORDS BOOK, WHERE I CAN FIND HIS BIRTH, HIS MARRIAGE, AND HIS DEATH DATE.
I ALSO HAVE A HISTORY OF THE TOWN THAT I USED AND LOOK UP, I FOUND SAMUEL BAKER'S NAME AND THE BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
THIS IS A MAP OF 1852.
SURE ENOUGH, HIS HOUSE IS LISTED ON HERE, SECOND DISTRICT, WITH THREE DWELLING HOUSES, TO BARNES -- TWO BARNS, THREE OTHER BUILDINGS, 350 ACRES OF LAND.
>> MUSEUM IS A BREATHING, LIVING PLACE, WHERE EXHIBITS CHANGE AND EVOLVE.
SOMETIMES, THE TREASURE'S NOT FOUND IN AN INDIVIDUAL PIECE, BUT IN THE SUM OF ITEMS IN A COLLECTION.
>> THERE WAS A GROUP OF YOUNG WOMEN HERE WHO LOVED BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL AND WANTED TO CREATE A TEAM TO PLAY SOFTBALL TOGETHER.
IN 1938, THEY CREATED A TEAM.
THEY WERE CALLED TO THE TIGERETTES.
THEY NAMED THEMSELVES AFTER THE BOYS' BASEBALL TEAM.
>> THEY SOON CHANGED THEIR NAME AND COMPETED AGAINST OTHER TEAMS IN THE REGION.
>> THE UNIFORMS WERE MADE BY A MOM THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY THEIR OWN UNIFORMS.
THEY DID FUNDRAISERS IN ORDER TO HAVE THE MATERIAL FOR THOSE AND TO GET ONTO THE FIELDS TO PLAY.
THEY WERE ALL TREMENDOUS ATHLETES.
AND THEY WERE WOMEN WHO JUST LOVED TO PLAY.
THEY LOVED TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE.
THEY LOVED THE GAME.
AND THEY WANTED TO GET OUT AND PLAY JUST LIKE BOYS DID.
>> [SINGING IN UNISON] ♪ MILK MAIDS EVERYWHERE WE LIKE IT EVERY WAY ♪ >> THEY WERE SO GOOD, THEY WOULD NEED SPONSORSHIP.
THEY FOUND SPONSORSHIP IN RHODE ISLAND, AND THEY CHANGED THEIR NAME TO THE DARLINGTON MILK MAIDS, WHICH HELPED THEM ENTER INTO MORE CHAMPIONSHIPS, LEAGUES, THEY WERE ABLE TO BRANCH OUT AND PLAY MORE GAMES.
THIS WAS A GROUP OF YOUNG WOMEN WHO LOVED THE SPORT AND WERE VERY GOOD AT IT.
PEOPLE CAME OUT TO SEE THEM.
THEY EVENTUALLY WENT ON TO WIN THE RHODE ISLAND STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1941.
THEY WENT TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN DETROIT OF THAT YEAR AND MADE IT TO THE SEMI FINALS.
>> THEIR SUCCESS MIGHT HAVE CONTINUED, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT WORLD WAR II DRAFTED MEN OVER 18, INCLUDING A LOT OF PROFESSIONAL BALLPLAYERS INTO THE ARMY.
THAT IS WHEN THE ALL-AMERICAN GIRLS' PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE WAS CREATED, FILLING THEIR RANKS WITH TALENT FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.
>> LOUISE ARNOLDS' CAREER STARTED WITH THE REHOBETH MILK MAIDS.
SHE BECAME ONE OF THE MORE FAMOUS PLAYERS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE.
SHE IS ONE OF THE CHARACTERS THAT YOU SEE IN THAT 1992 FILM A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN.
>> LOUISE HAS HER OWN BASEBALL CARD AND A PLACE IN THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME IN COOPERSTOWN.
>> WHEN PEOPLE COME IN TO SEE THE EXHIBIT, YOUNG GIRLS WHO PLAY SOFTBALL THEMSELVES, YOUNG BOYS WHO DON'T REALIZE HOW IMPRESSIVE AND FANTASTIC GIRLS' SPORTS WERE EVEN BACK IN THE 90'S AND 40'S, EVEN PEOPLE REMINISCING WHEN THEY PLAYED SPORTS, THEY REALIZED THAT REHOBETH HAD AN IMPORTANT PART TO PLAY IN SPORT HISTORY.
>> BIG-LEAGUE MEMORIES KEPT ALIVE AT A SMALL TOWN MUSEUM.
♪ [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.
VISIT NCICAP.ORG]
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