NEW PROGRAM: Adopt-An-Object!

Dumbarton House is honored to be entrusted with the stewardship of so many historic objects that help tell the stories of the Federal period and the history of The NSCDA. Several of the objects in our collection are also significant to the Nation's history. In addition to collecting, interpreting, and exhibiting these treasures, Dumbarton House protects and cares for them by working with a team of professional conservators. Objects come to the museum's collection in a variety of conditions, thus some must be cleaned, restored, or stabilized so they can be safely stored or exhibited and appreciated for education and history for many more years.

You can partner with Dumbarton House in saving the past by sponsoring one or more specially-selected conservation projects! Below is the current list of objects available for your adoption consideration and each of the objects' associated "adoption costs," followed by our recent successful adoptions.

In Recognition of Your Donation

• Your name will appear in the object's file for the life of the object
• Your name will be included in printed labels and descriptions when the object is displayed within five years of donation
• You will be recognized in our Annual Report for the adoption year
• You will receive pre- and post-conservation photos of the object along with a conservation report from the Museum Curator
• You will receive a private viewing of the object pre-arranged with the Museum Curator
• The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, headquartered at Dumbarton House, and all donations to the Adopt-An-Object program are tax deductible.

CURRENT OBJECTS AWAITING ADOPTION

George III Sideboard

Furniture

• English George III Mahogany Sideboard - $6,800. This imposing piece with its bowed top, ebony inlay, and floral-etched border above frieze drawer, requires $6,800 in order to be properly conserved and stored.

Silver:

• Sheffield Plate Chafing Dish - $390

Clocks:

• John Garland bracket clock - GEORGE III BRASS-INLAID MAHOGANY CHIMING BRACKET CLOCK. By John Garland (1776-1798), London; Domed top with brass carrying handle and four brass urn-form finials above arched glazed door enclosing white enamel dial with maker's name, Roman numerals and strike/silent register, flanked by pierced foliate gilt-brass spandrels, on brass ogee bracket feet. The backplate also inscribed "Garland/London" and with pavilions, scrolling flowers and diaperwork, the two-train movement with anchor escapement chiming the quarter-hour on a nest of eight bells and with further bell, with pull repeat; c. 1780. $2,500

Books & Manuscripts

• Nourse family copy of Dr. Martin Luther's Devine Discourses - $6,000
• Letter – Joseph Nourse to Maria Nourse - $200

William and Mary Walnut Bracket Clock

SUCCESSFUL ADOPTIONS

• ADOPTED 4/13/10: Dolley Madison Invitation – This early American handwritten note has stayed together while being apart for many years. Due to the wear and tear of folds on paper, this document has separated into almost three individual pieces. With the amazing advances in paper conservation over recent years, the three pieces will be restored into one again.
• ADOPTED 4/9/10: Federal Spoon marked (SC) is a wonderful example of a table spoon decorated with bright-cut work. The bowl was at one point in its life bent is half which also created two tears in the silver, one on either side of the bowl. This adoption will reform the bowl and repair the tears.
• ADOPTED 4/8/10: Henricus Harper bracket clock (Nourse family clock) – The William and Mary Walnut Bracket Clock (pictured) by Henricus Harper, recognized as the Nourse family clock, was produced in London. Its brass domed top and scrolling foliage makes for a striking piece. Its conservation costs are estimated at $2,000. (pictured)
• ADOPTED 4/8/10: Philadelphia Sugar Urn and lid –The beautiful American Silver Covered Sugar Urn by Samuel Williamson is a stunning example of late 18th century Philadelphia metalwork. Its conservation costs of $550 would repair a severe tear in the stem of the base, remove a few of the larger dents in the body of the urn, and create a new finial that has long since been missing from the top of the lid.
• ADOPTED 4/7/10: Letter – Thomas Jefferson to James Madison
• Aaron Willard Tall Case - FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY TALL CASE CLOCK. Roxbury-type case; the hood with pierced fretwork centering three brass steeple-top finials above an arched glazed door opening to painted dial with Roman and Arabic chapter rings and moon phase inscribed "Aaron Willard, Boston," flanked by brass inlaid stop-fluted colonettes; waisted case with maple and stained maple string-inlaid door flanked by brass stop-fluted quarter columns; plinth base with checkered inlay; scalloped skirt on bracket feet; c. 1800-1810. $1,800

We thank our Adopt-an-Object donors!