The True Danville Museum

Things were a little crazy at the Danville Museum last week when Granny Beth and I were there, but I don't want to leave you with the impression that it is that way all of the time.  They were trying to get a new exhibit set up, and it was late in the afternoon when folks don't usually show up.  It was a good tour, and we had a good "I Love Lucy" time!  (We believe it's all in one's attitude.  No amount of money and/or preparation can make things go right 100% of time.  That's proved in the statement, "The show must go on!")  We were GLAD they didn't close down the museum, and they were very helpful when we needed help (in a ghostly sort of way. :-)

So, the Sutherlin home (now officially the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and and History), was completed in 1859, just prior to the Civil War.  The rooms are large and airy, well designed, and beautifully appointed. 

 

These two musical instruments were on opposite sides of the room from each other.  Can you guess what the one on the right is?  The hand crank on the side is a clue.  (Sorry about the glare - or maybe it's the ectoplasm of a ghost!)

Behind all of the fine veneer is frontier construction:

  

"lath covered with lime plaster reinforced with horse or hog hair"    Eeeew!    In this case, beauty WAS only skin deep.  We very much like it when historical places literally give us a view into the past though!  Frontier or not, here we are 153 years later and she still stands.  I wonder how many buildings constructed in 2012 will still be here in 2165 ?