Westfield DAR Charter
In the Reeve House parlor, next to the fireplace, the original charter of the Westfield Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is displayed. Mamie (Tichenor) Reeve, whose family resided in the house 100 years ago, hosted the event when the Westfield Chapter was presented with its charter during the monthly meeting of the Nova Caesarea Chapter (the Newark Chapter at the time). It is fitting that the Charter is displayed in the room where it was originally presented.
Dr. Elmer’s Cabinet
Displayed is Dr. Elmer's cabinet. Dr. Elmer was the first doctor in Westfield who served the surrounding communities in the 1790s. Patients were "bled" back then to get the "bad humors" out of the blood using a scarifier (examples in the cabinet). Other examples of typical 18th Century medicinal treatments are in the cabinet. Dr. Elmer’s home was located where the Chase bank is on the corner E. Broad Street and Elmer Street which is named for Dr. Elmer.
“Sun-Sculpture” Stereoscope:
Stereoscopes or Stereo Graphoscopes were an early form of "video" entertainment. Before radio, television, movies, even telephones, a main form of entertainment was the stereoscope which allowed people to see three dimensional images of scenes from all over the world. The hand-held stereoscope was first described by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1861. Patented June 11, 1901, by Underwood & Underwood, the model seen here was the first to use an aluminum hood. It quickly became the most common stereoscope of all. By 1918 stereoscopes declined in popularity, however, the recent day View Master toy depends on the same technology as the stereoscope of 100 years ago. ~~on loan from the collection of Stan & Jody Lipson
Stereo Graphoscope:
Table models, such as this one, often graced the Victorian parlor. They could convert and be used to view either "stereoviews" (as displayed) whose images see through the double lenses provided a 3-D experience, or the more common "cabinet cards" - usually photos about 5" x 7.7" - which were viewed through the large magnifying lens. (c. 1873 - made in England)
Bellini Westfield Italian Band drum
100 years ago, this drum was used by the Bellini Westfield Italian Band led by Professor Gaetano Mannino, Director. The drum is dated 1920. Drums from the Westfield Italian Band were rescued and donated to the Westfield Historical Society by Westfield Unico in 1994.
"Scenes From Westfield" fireplace tiles
Joe Di Francesco, a local craftsman, donated and built the Reeve House parlor's fireplace and tiles by local artist, Stacey Farley, completed the area with scenes of early Westfield. A ceramic artist and Westfield native, Stacey Farley, was awarded the commission to provide artwork for the pedestrian underpass at the Westfield train station. The results of her research, in the Historical Society's Archives, are the ceramic tiles around the fireplace. Miss Farley presented this framed panel to the Society in 2012. In 2019, Stacey Farley and her family were inducted into the Westfield Hall of Fame.
In the upper left, Ralph Reeve, pictured on horseback, competed in many horse shows in the area. On the right, 2nd tile down, is a photo of the Bellini Westfield Italian Band with the drum featured above.
John Brunner Wood Carving
John Brunner (1869-1949) was best known as the artist and wood carver who worked diligently with the Boy Scouts and recorded many a Westfield subject in water color or wood.
In 1932, at the Melrose, Florida, cottage of his friend, Leigh Pearsall, he felled an oak tree and, as shown in the photo, carved the bust of a Native American that is now on exhibit in the Reeve House.
Raised at the family home on Westfield Avenue, Brunner studied both in New York and in France.
Portraits of Simeon and Freelove Lambert:
These portraits are of Simeon Lambert and his wife Freelove (Littell) Lambert and were painted around 1835 (unknown "traveling artist"). The portraits hang in the parlor of the Reeve House and were a gift to the Westfield Historical Society, in 2014, from the estate of the Rev. Roy Folsom Lambert. In the early 19th century, the Lambert family owned 100+ acres in the West fields and the Scotch plains. This land was home to the Lamberts and held a windmill, a millpond (later called Shackamaxon Lake), a cider mill and a distillery known as Lamberts Mills...all located near what is now Lamberts Mill Road and Raritan Road. Earlier, in the 18th century, the Lamberts also dealt in livestock, farming, and were the earliest shopkeepers in town.
Tall-case clock by Westfield's Federalist cabinet maker, John Scudder
This Federalist tall-case clock, (Grandfather clock) has a label inside indicating: "Made and Sold by John Scudder, Cabinetmaker, Westfield". It is believed that the clock was made between 1795 and 1815. The clock continues to tell time and strikes hourly with a pleasant clear tone, when regularly wound. It was a gift, in 1996, to the Town of Westfield from Kurt C. Bauer, the late Publisher of The Westfield Leader. At the time, Mayor Bud Boothe recommended that the clock be located in the Reeve House after it opened as a museum. In 2018, Mayor Shelley Brindle presented the clock to the Westfield Historical Society for display in the Reeve House. It had been displayed in the Mayors' offices since 1996.
Reeve Family Hand Fans:
Hand fans were first seen in history during the early Egyptian period when they were used to move air and repel insects. Over the centuries they were seen in many cultures and in many designs. By the late 19th century, they became a symbol of wealth and aristocracy and were often given as elaborate gifts. The type of fan owned by a Victorian woman was a sign of social status. Nearly every Victorian woman owned a fan. These two fans were given as gifts in the Reeve-Tichenor family. The larger satin fan was an engagement gift from William Edgar Reeve to Mary Luella "Mamie" Tichenor in 1892. The smaller fan was a wedding gift to Mamie Tichenor Reeve's mother, Mary Elizabeth Kennedy Tichenor, in 1865.
Ivanowski portrait of Kathryn A. Nichols (oil on canvas)
Sigismund Ivanowski is believed by many to have been one of Westfield’s greatest artists. Born in 1874 in the Ukraine to a noble Polish family, he studied in St. Petersburg, Russia where he painted members of the imperial family. Later, he studied in Paris with Jean Paul Laurens and in London with James A. M. Whistler before coming to America and taking up residence on Mountain Avenue in Westfield, and later, in the Arcanum Hall building. This portrait was believed to be his last, circa 1942. Ivanowski passed away in 1944 and is buried in Fairview Cemetery. This handsome painting, which graces the Reeve House library, was donated to the Westfield Historical Society by Peggy Hooley, daughter of Kathryn A. Nichols.
Milk Bottles from Westfield's Dairies
Before the advent of modern refrigerated delivery systems, the need for a supply of fresh milk necessitated neighborhood dairies. Westfield had several. There were also several dairy farms located within the borders of the town. Over one hundred years ago, a dairy was located near where the Rialto Theater stands today. Sixty years ago, cows still grazed near the southern end of town. Here are bottles from several of the local dairies (Sunrise Dairy, Dickson Dairy August Danker's Westfield Dairy & Viswat's Dairy) which are on display in the Reeve House.
The Reeves’ Dog, Buddy
Recently found among books in a bookcase on the 3rd floor of the Reeve House, these 2 paintings of Buddy were painted on wood by Grace Reeve. Grace was the twin sister to Edgar Reeve. Grace died from pneumonia at the age of 37 in 1938. Buddy appears to be an Airedale Terrier. According to the back of one of the paintings, he lived from 1918-1929 and was, no doubt, loved by Grace.
Bicentennial Doll House Dioramas
Four miniature dollhouse "rooms" were created by Kay Ryan as a gift from the College Women’s Club of Westfield commemorating the United States Bicentennial Anniversary of 1976. Currently, they are on display on the second floor of the Reeve House. The four separate rooms appear to be her interpretation of a typical Westfield home during four different time periods: about the 1790’s (the formation of Westfield Township); the 1850’s; the 1890’s; and the 1950’s. Many of the actual objects from each of the four depicted time periods are physically on display at the Reeve House: a three-footed warming pot from the 1790’s; copper candle holders from the 1850’s; a stereoscope and views from the 1870’s through the 1910’s; and a camera and school trophies from the mid 20th century.
Westfield of the 1790’s Diorama
This diorama room appears to be of the same period as the Westfield Historical Society’s Miller-Cory House Museum. The furnishings are quite sparse: one trestle table and a large settle. Notice the large “walk-in” hearth that can be used both for heating the room and for cooking. From the mantle, utensils hang at the ready. To the left rear, bread is baking in the oven. To the right, is a large butter churn. From the exposed beams, hang utensils and perhaps drying herbs. Through the door at the rear, can be seen what appear to be cured hams. It's hard to believe that this is a diorama - not quite 11-inches high.
Westfield of the 1850's Diorama
The primary source of light is candles. Sconces hang on the walls. Candlesticks sit on the mantle. A pewter candle holder sits on a table ready to be carried from room to room. Corner cupboards hold the dishes, and there is upholstered furniture just for sitting. The walls are painted very simply.
Westfield of the 1890's Diorama
Before radio, television, movies, even telephones, the main form of entertainment was the stereoscope, as seen on the floor next to the doll (see Reeve House Artifact #3), which allowed people to see three dimensional images of scenes from all over the world. To the rear of the room, a coal oil (kerosene) lamp provides light on dark winter mornings and well into the evening. There is a fireplace in the room for warmth, and a rug on the floor provides a little insulation.
Westfield of the 1950's Diorama
The family room has become the center of activity. Electricity has come to town, and with it world wide communications. To the right, a record player sits on a console television set. Nearby is a camera. The new wall-to-wall carpeting is all the rage. The bookshelves hold a variety of books, a set of encyclopedias, a copy of Time Magazine, and trophies the children have won in school athletics.
Westfield Town Embossers
In earlier times, important documents were "verified" using an embosser (perforator) which actually left a raised impression in the paper. Shown here are 2 embossers, which are displayed on the 2nd floor of the Reeve House, were used over 100 years ago for this purpose. On the left is the Westfield Town Seal embosser which leaves an impression of the actual Town Seal used for many years in the Town Clerk’s Office for documents requiring an official seal. The embossed image reads "The Town of Westfield in the County of Union" with an image of a bundle of wheat with a rake, hoe & sickle - portraying Westfield as the farming town it was. On the right is a receipt embosser which produces a seal that reads "Westfield Branch - Union County S.P.C.A. - Chartered 1915."
The Miller-Cory House, by Harry Devlin
Stunning, isn't it? No one uses color and light like Westfield Hall of Famer, Harry Devlin. This painting shows an unusual perspective of Westfield's Miller-Cory House Museum. Check out the whimsical open window on the 2nd floor. Donated to the Westfield Historical Society by Christine & Steven Glazer in honor of the Miller-Cory House Museum volunteers, it is displayed in the 2nd floor hallway of the Reeve House.
Table Games from the Reeve House
Did you ever wonder what quarantined families may have done to pass the time 100 years ago? These games, which were saved by the Reeve family, may help to answer that question. Ralph Reeve, born in 1899; and twins, Edgar and Grace Reeve, born in 1901, might have played these games in the Reeve House during their adult years. The Peg'ity game was introduced in 1925, Quick Wit was first published in 1938, the Pollyanna game was published in 1915, Bradley's Game Chips may have been used for wagering in games or for tiddlywinks; and Contack was introduced in 1939 and features a price tag from B. Altman & Co., New York for 47 cents.
J. O. Weaver Pump Reed Organ
This J. O. Weaver organ was built in York, Pennsylvania in 1880 and such organs were common in the late 1800s into the early 1900s. Foot pedals produced a vacuum in the air chest providing the organ's air supply. Musical sound is the result of air vibrating the hundreds of brass reeds within. Note the two circular stands for oil lamps or candles to light up the music and keyboard (before electric lighting was available). Currently, the organ needs some bellows replaced, but it was recently played, during a holiday open house, using a hose attached to a vacuum cleaner providing the air supply. Various woods employed include mahogany, oak, maple and bird's eye maple, with some gold leaf added. The foot pump pedals are a colorful needlepoint. The organ is at home in the Reeve House parlor, and was restored and donated by local resident, Mr. David Norwine.
1850 Needlework Sampler
This needlework sampler was handcrafted in 1850, by Mary Elizabeth Kennedy, age 9. Mary was grandmother to the Reeve children. Produced as a demonstration or test of needlework skill, samplers often included the alphabet, figures, motifs, decorative borders and, in this case, the name of the person who embroidered it. This work, which is so significant to the Reeve collection, was purchased at a 2012 estate sale of William Lanigan, attorney to the Reeve brothers, along with other items returned to the Reeve home and donated by Sherry Cronin, Westfield Historical Society Vice President Trustee. Young visitors to the Reeve House are often astonished to learn that it was produced by a 9-year old who created it as a childhood pastime - before the advent of video screens!
Native American Grinding Stones
The large granite stone, on the left, was most likely used by Native Americans to grind corn, grains and nuts into meal or flour. The material to be ground was placed on the large concave surface and a stone pestle, like the one on the right, (usually a hand-sized, smooth stone but sometimes a long smoothed stone shaped like a rolling pin) was used to pound and grind the material until it was a uniformly-sized meal or flour. These two stones were found, years ago, in an excavation near Lamberts Mill Road and brought to the Reeve House by Sherry Cronin for display.
3-Footed Dinner Pot
Typical of 18th century cookware, the three feet allowed the pot to sit level on top of a bed of coals in an open hearth. A small portion of the hot coals would be raked forward onto the hearth and the pot set on top. The handle also served as a hanger for hanging over the fire or hot coals. This cast iron pot stands about 9 inches high. It was a gift of John Henry Frazee.
Rockmore Painting of 1872 Westfield:
The Town of Westfield, NJ app. 1872, by Julian Rockmore
This painting portrays the artist's impression of what Westfield, NJ may have looked like in 1872. It is not particularly to scale, but it provides a whimsical look at late 19th century Westfield. A gifted painter of Americana, Julian Rockmore resided in nearby Mountainside. This painting was painted in 1987 and hung in the Westfield branch of the Bank of America for years before it was gifted to the Westfield Historical Society. Prints were once made of the painting and sold by the Westfield Historical Society (now out of print).
Coin-Operated Regina Mohogany Cased Disc Music Box, Circa 1890
Right at home in a Victorian Parlor, this turn-of-the-century music box would have entertained the family with crisp, clear melodies. Operated by coin, this handsome music box features a music disc which plays, “The Watch on The Rhine” (German National Hymn, 1200 by Wilhelm). Regina manufactured this music box in Rahway, NJ. It was donated to the Westfield Historical Society in 2018 by Lowell Schantz.
Butter Churns
Wooden (or crockery) dash butter churns were commonplace in colonial homes and used for centuries prior. They were used to manually churn fresh milk/cream into butter for the family. Around the time of the industrial revolution, wooden churns were replaced by crockery, tin, glass, or stainless steel crank churns. These crank churns were popular from the mid-1800's through the 1940s. Electric churns were also introduced. Eventually, the widespread availability of commercial butter led to the phasing out of home butter churning. How to make butter in your own kitchen.
The wooden dash churn on the left was recently gifted to the Westfield Historical Society by Jane Giannone. The glass "Dazey" crank churn (est. 1915-1920) resides in the kitchen of the Reeve House.
