Salt & Pepper Shakers and Dolls

Our lobby exhibit for August comes to us from Evan and Regena Barnum of Colby. It is a fine example of how collections from past generations are combined and then are perpetuated as a whole.

When Evan's mother was young, her father traveled as a bank examiner and often brought her a pair of salt and pepper shakers as a souvenir. She continued collecting as an adult. Evan's aunt also collected shakers and he now has part of her collection too. The oldest salt and pepper shakers in the exhibit are a pair of silver ones from Evan's paternal grandparent's and were possibly one of their wedding gifts. Regena's mother was also a collector of salt and pepper shakers. 

 (Click on image to enlarge.)

Evan's father and step-mother were able to travel much of the world while he was a senior engineer for Conoco Oil. While traveling, she acquired dolls from various areas. Regena was given the bridal doll when she was a child. It was put away in a drawer to keep it in pristine condition. The Barbie and Ken dolls were also hers. The monkey and original "Teddy Bear" belonged to Evan's paternal grandparents when they were young.

Be sure to visit Prairie Museum of Art and History during the month of August to see this amazing family collection. You will also want to see the artwork of Julie Peterson-Shea from Phillipsburg, Kansas which is on exhibit in the Garvey Education Room. Both of these exhibits are open to the public without admission fee.