Giving Objects the Microphone…
The New York Historical Society (NYHS) is an unexpected hidden gem some might say. When one seeks out beautiful objects and enriching narratives, the first place to mind isn’t necessarily a Historical Society but the NYHS proved why it should be. Inside the NYHS is a unique and admirable collection of important histories and the way they promote audience engagement and object storytelling is brilliant.
Many of the objects stood out in their own light. They had context narrative to draw out where they belonged in time but they also were independent enough to stand alone, our guide Mike called them, “Hero Objects.” As we combed through the halls we were met by objects that told their own narrative through interpretive niches, a mini documentary of sorts. In one hall was a grand display of Tiffany Lamps, illuminated out of the dark and mystically glowing through colored glass to create illusions of gardenias and wysteria. The entire exhibit showed that these objects were doing what they were designed to do, convey beauty and an illusionist sense of nature through interpretive glass mosaics. These objects were there to be admired. In a big way, these objects spoke for themselves. A great part of the journey was to discover that while these lamps were attributed to Tiffany and Co. they were actually designed by Clara Driscoll and her Tifany Studio Women’s Glass Cutting Department. To know that one woman and her team were responsible for each implied petal and illuminated picture was incredible. The painterly quality and detailed handiwork was evident through this exhibit.
In the next exhibit, an even more interesting series of events were being told with objects acting as characters in a story. Each case acted like a chapter in the book of world history. This hall was appropriately titled, Objects Tell Stories, and they truly did. Within the hall, treasures were grouped into niches with digital interactives to support resource learning.
In this hall, one case particularly stood out, partly because of its display and partly due to the direct impact wrought on everyone. Inside it was something familiar yet unfamiliar, something so close that the day could be remembered and now, somehow, it was back to teach us. The case was titled, 9/11, and it featured a narrative of the aftermath that event brought and all of the items people in the community served to remember it and honor the lives lost. Once again, little had to be said about these items for one to understand the gravity behind it. It was set up in a shrine like fashion, items from peoples homes, prayers, treasures, thoughts all coming together to pay tribute. The message was clear. Something about this was surprising to see. It was clear that the NYHS was committed to preserving history and telling its story even if that history was still alive and relevant today. The message was that history in the past or in the making cannot be dismissed, and the story of its telling begins now. This idea was interesting. The more we tell our own stories, the more intact is the interpretation. With time, stories can become watered down or disfigured but through taking an initiative to preserve today's life in the times, we offer objects to be represented in their true nature. By doing that, we are giving objects the microphone to tell their story.
