Museum Attendance

Shortly before leaving for NH in December there was an article in the Washington Post about historic houses and their declining attendance numbers.

I'd like to highlight a place that is experiencing the opposite - rising attendance. 

In the summer of 2011 I visited the John Paul Jones House in Portsmouth, NH to see their sampler collection. And I was surprised by how many pieces they had. I came home and wrote about it here on my blog. And I'm happy to highlight an article I read in the Foster's Daily Democrat when I was in NH at the beginning of the New Year.  

"PORTSMOUTH — The John Paul Jones House Museum, operated by the Portsmouth Historical Society is reporting their best year in over a quarter of a century. This year the museum saw a 24 percent increase in admissions.

The curator, Sandra Rux, continues to refine the museum’s fine textile collection. Recent accessions include a needlework sampler by Ann M. Gerrish that was purchased from Sotheby’s dated August 20, 1832. Recently conserved was a printed handkerchief of George Washington which was archivally framed and has now returned home to the parlor."

Full text of the article can be viewed here:  Foster's Daily Democrat 

The website for the house is here:  John Paul Jones House

 One of my photos of the house. 

And a few photos of the samplers. Unfortunately these were taken before I really mastered my camera. Very hard to take photos without glare from the lights.

I can highly recommend stopping by Portsmouth next summer to all the sampler lovers. And I wonder if the increase in attendance has anything to do with those of us who appreciate old needlework.