(Concerning the Hancock County Museum, New Cumberland, West Virginia)
There are so many things of import occurring nationally, on the state stage, county wise and within local government that on hand the fate of this museum hardly seems worthy of attention yet on the other hand it is of utmost importance.
It is a fine example of life in the late 1880’s and has served as a teaching tool, as a gathering place, as a repository of valuable artifacts and as a place to hold receptions.
Yet, it appears to be falling into ruin as noted by the boarded windows. Is the roof leaking?
If so, it is leaking rain and dust onto a truly unique collection of vintage clothing representative of fashion from the Civil War era to the 1960’s.
There are ball gowns similar to those worn in “Gone with the Wind”.
Flapper dresses both short beaded one and a gorgeous long beaded on of brown velvet with painted design along the hemline,
A two-piece dark purple woman’s suit with black spots, balloon sleeves, short sleeves from the 1960’s.
A two-piece, handmade, woolen, “Walking Suit” with bustle on the back, the kind women wore while walking shaded from the sun by an umbrella, though this one is made for walking in wintry weather.
Two fur coats
Several items of clothing for infants and toddlers including a child’s christening outfits. A man’s cloak and top hat along with many capes and hats worn by women while singing Christmas Carols.
Then there’s the furniture. Several original pieces grace the rooms: a vintage living room settee with matching chair, a player piano (not original) sits in a corner of the room. It has been known to play some of a large collection of music with piano rolls. Music such as “In the Good Old Summertime”. The study was the office of Oliver Sheridan Marshall, the homes builder and assessor of Hancock County. In the study are 4 rows glass fronted bookcases sheltering original law books collected by Mr. Marshall during his years as an attorney. Mr. Marshall served as a representative of Hancock County in the West Virginia Legislature, his picture hangs in the Senate Office building in Charleston. He built the home in 1887.
Going upstairs to the second floor one can view 4 bedrooms. Two have the children’s names written on the glass transoms above the doorways – Olive and John. Olive’s bedroom has original furniture and some period articles of clothing. John’s room now serves as a display of collected military uniforms including one of WW1 that was kept in a tin container and came to the Museum moth free. It includes the felt hat with Stetson marked on the inner label. There are other artifacts of note in this room including a bottle of “Evening in Paris” perfume, a pair of women’s nylons with the seam up the back (those that needed a garter belt to keep them up) when one could not have a pair of these the woman had access to “leg make up” and after applying the makeup she could draw a line with ink to represent the seam. There is a collection of newspaper clippings pertinent to WW11 that was donated by a woman who was faithful to the task. Also here are the images of local WWII military members used in the printing of the local newspaper, the Hancock County Courier.
Keeping to John’s history, he became an attorney like his father Oliver. John served as an advisor under the Calvin Cooledge administration.
There are a set of backstairs leading from the bathroom area to the kitchen. The bathroom has a claw foot tub, a sink and a toilet with a water tank on the wall avove. On up to the attic and one finds more treasures.
So it seems that the Hancock County Museum is worth saving to once again serve the people.
The Covid epidemic interupted the use of the museum for a while. Before that there were ice cream socials, tea parties for young ladies, fund raising fashion shows, Christmas caroling visits to local hospitals and shut-ins.
The Hancock County Commissioners have withdrawn their funding, the Museum Board exists, there were bylaws written during its creation. What do they dictate. The Museum treasurer still has funds to administer. How much and what are they used for?
Linda McNeil
