Lambs

Lambs are occupying our lobby exhibit during June thanks to Kary Dilts.

Kary says:
"Being genetically presidposed to collecting a little bit of everything, when I was 8 years old my parents told me I could choose one thing to collect. I'm not sure why I picked sheep, but that is what I decided on."

Kary's lambs come from a variety of states and countries. They range in size from tiny to pillow size.

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 As always, there is no admission to visit the lobby exhibit. While you're here check out the exhibit of art work from Colby and Brewster school students in the Garvey Education Room.

If you have a collection you would like to share with us for a month, talk to Ray at the museum, call 785-460-4590, or e-mail registrar@prairiemuseum.org Ray will be happy to schedule your exhibit.

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Three Wise Monkeys

Lois Van Horn brought in her collection of "See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil" monkeys to share with us in our lobby exhibit during the month of May.

Lois started this collection when she found a desk accessory paperweight / blotter among her grandmother's possessions in about 1956. The second set she collected are hanging monkeys she and her husband, Thurston, found while traveling. The rest of the story is history - friends and family helped her by contributing to her collections.

Over the years, these wise monkey figurines have become more difficult to find. Lois still occasionally finds them in antique stores or flea markets. 

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This is the second set added to the collection.

 Not all are monkeys!

 This 'Teddy Told Me" set is very unique and possibly quite rare.

 
The three wise monkeys are a Japanese tradition sometimes called the three mystic apes. They represent the proverbial principle "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". The three monkeys are Mizaru, covering his eyes; Kikazaru, covering his ears, and Iwazaru, covering his mouth.

There are various meanings associated with the proverb including being of good mind, speech, and action. In the Western world the phrase is often used to refer to those who deal with impropriety by turning a blind eye.


Stop at the museum during May to see this amazing collection. There is no admission to view this exhibit. While you're visiting, check out what Kelsi has added to the gift shop!

China Painting

For the month of April, Larry Dilts of Colby is sharing part of his mother's collection of painted china with us. Martha Dilts lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado and has enjoyed the hobby of china painting for many years.

Larry says, "Mom has always been involved in arts and crafts. She is always seeing how she can make something out of odds and ends. She came up with some unique creations. She particularly liked making party favors and table decorations for VFW and church events. After the kids moved away, she began china painting. This really caught her interest and after learning the skills necessary to china paint, she began teaching classes in the basement of her home. This provided a great deal of entertainment as well as satisfaction. As my Dad's health declined, Mom spent more of her time at home caring for him and china painting provided a needed outlet. She painted for about 30 years. After Dad's death, her painting interest waned. She redirected her efforts to making Afghans for the needy. At age 95, she continues to crochet."

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Shown here is just a sample of Martha's work. Martha has kept most of her china painting and displays them around her house. She also gave many pieces to her family and friends. She was especially fond of floral designs. Her hobby was painting, but she also liked exhibiting her work.

Martha painted an eight place setting of tableware for each of her four children. These are pieces with a yellow and pink rose pattern from the set she made for Larry and Karen Dilts.

There is no admission to visit the lobby exhibit, so come on out and see this amazing collection.

 

Dog Figurines

The lobby exhibit for March is a collection of dog figurines on loan from Joan Ziegler. The dog collection started when her great-grandmother gave her a set of porcelain dogs when Joan was five years old. Joan continued collecting these unique figurines until she graduated from high school. The collections includes over 450 figurines.

Many of the figurines were given to her by family and friends. Most of them were made in the United States, but some are from Germany, Holland, and France.

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This is the beginning of the collection. A set of three given to Joan by her great-grandmother.

 This was a gift from Joan's great aunt.

The German Shepherd was sent to Joan from her brother in 1947 while he was serving in the military in Germany.

The Walt Disney 'Pluto" is exceptional to the collection because he is plastic and also a bobble-head.

Although most of the dog figurines are made of porcelain or China, a few are wood, metal, crystal, or alabaster.

 

This newspaper item from the January 1, 1964 issue of "The Prairie Drummer" features Joan's collection as part of an "Interesting Hobbies" series of ads for Thomas County National Bank.

Stop at Prairie Museum of Art and History during the month of March to see this amazing collection. There is no admission to visit the lobby exhibit.

Hearts

Celebrating Valentine's Day in February brings to mind hearts. Sheila Krehbiel is sharing her collection of hearts with us this month. Everything in the exhibit either has a heart shape or the word 'heart' on it. Sheila started collecting heart related items about 1962 and continues to collect today with the help of her husband Kenton. Some items she has purchased, but others were given to her by family and friends.

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Sheila passed her love of collecting hearts on to her daughters who now have collections of their own.

 Sharon (Krehbiel) Hansen collects stuffed animals.

Brenda (Krehbiel) Inman collects "I Love Lucy" souvenirs.

These wooden necklaces were made by Kenton's uncle John Krehbiel. After a stroke paralyzed his right side, John learned to continue his woodworking hobby working only with his left hand. His wife painted his creations.

There is no admission to view the lobby exhibit or browse the gift shop. While you are out, you can also the enjoy the works of some of the Colby Community College art students now showing in the Garvey Education Room through the month of February. 

Farmers and Merchants Bank

The January lobby exhibit commemorates the 130th anniversary of the founding of Farmers and Merchants Bank. The items in this exhibit are from the collection of Prairie Museum of Art & History.

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The bank first opened its doors at 360 North Franklin Avenue in Colby on January 3, 1887. 

In 1907 a new building was built on the same location.

That same building received a face lift and interior remodel in 1955.

The bank moved to its current location at 240 West 4th Street in 1978.

Following is an example of the artifacts and memorabilia associated with Farmers and Merchants Bank over the years.

 

While preparing this exhibit it became apparent we don't have items associated with the Hopalong Cassidy Savings Club and Pet Parade sponsored by F & M Bank. If you have one of their savings banks, account passbook, etc., Please call 785-460-4590 or send e-mail to registrar@prairiemuseum.org Your donations are appreciated.

As always, there is no admission to visit the lobby and gift shop.

The "Food For Thought" program scheduled for noon on Thursday, January 19th will be presented by Farmers and Merchants Bank. The programs are free and donations are suggested for the light lunch.