THE CULTURAL COLLECTION
The Victorian passion for foreign travel initiated a generation of cultural collectors anxious to show-off their exotic treasures. Friends and family of Franklin Fairbanks’ donated many of these souvenirs to the museum, enabling 19th century townsfolk a rare glimpse into the ethnic diversity of world cultures. These objects include tools, weapons, indigenous costumes and woven textiles, beautiful decorative arts, household items, toys and trade materials. Even archaeological artifacts were acquired from Native America, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Orient, the Middle East and Africa.
A selection of these objects can be found on display in our upstairs gallery, while others remain conserved for inventory databasing and future re-housing.
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