Portsmouth History Homeschool Program
Portsmouth History Homeschool Program
How did the people of Portsmouth’s past live? Find out at our homeschool programs.
Portsmouth History Homeschool Program
How did the people of Portsmouth’s past live? Find out at our homeschool programs.
Indigenous Life in New England
Learn about indigenous life by building a traditional wigwam
About the Presenter:
Jennifer Lee has been enjoying making bark baskets for 40 years. Her interest began with the study of her Native American ancestors of the Northeast Woodlands. She teaches basket classes and educational programs extensively. The bark roots and branches are wild harvested by her family in the Northern
Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. She’s received awards at the Mohegan Wigwam Festival, Saratoga Native American Festival, Kearsage Indian Museum, Deerfield Craft Show, and North Carolina Basketmakers Association.
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Jennifer Lee is enrolled with the Metis Nation of North America and the Northern Narragansetts. She grew up without knowledge of her Indian Ancestry. She has spent her adult life learning the true history and culture of the Northeast Woodland Indigenous Peoples. She shares what she’s learning at schools,
historic sites, and community events. Often, classes are held in her conical wigwam. She lives in the Northern Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. She spends her time with her Grandkids, gardening, berry picking, maintaining the houses she’s built, making baskets, teaching basketry, and attending as
many powwows as possible. She is grateful to the Creator for being able to follow her heart.
Jennifer Lee has been enjoying making bark baskets for 40 years. Her interest began with the study of her Native American ancestors of the Northeast Woodlands. She teaches basket classes and educational programs extensively. The bark roots and branches are wild harvested by her family in the Northern
Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. She’s received awards at the Mohegan Wigwam Festival, Saratoga Native American Festival, Kearsage Indian Museum, Deerfield Craft Show, and North Carolina Basketmakers Association.
***********************
Jennifer Lee is enrolled with the Metis Nation of North America and the Northern Narragansetts. She grew up without knowledge of her Indian Ancestry. She has spent her adult life learning the true history and culture of the Northeast Woodland Indigenous Peoples. She shares what she’s learning at schools,
historic sites, and community events. Often, classes are held in her conical wigwam. She lives in the Northern Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. She spends her time with her Grandkids, gardening, berry picking, maintaining the houses she’s built, making baskets, teaching basketry, and attending as
many powwows as possible. She is grateful to the Creator for being able to follow her heart.
Finishing Touches
May 24- October 14, 2024
Accessories have been a part of fashion since the beginning of civilization. From jewelry to handkerchiefs, hats to shoes, these items have provided the “finishing touches” to a person’s ensemble. This display highlights items from the collection that would add personality and individuality to the wearer’s outfit as well as demonstrate gender and class. Functional and fashionable, these pieces highlight accessories through the decades.
Exhibition open Thursday–Monday
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
last entry at 4:30 p.m.
“How the exhibition came to be”
by exhibition curator Molly Liolios
While conducting an inventory of the collection at the Portsmouth Historical Society, I noticed that the number of accessories in storage was outstanding. There was a sampling of every category―hair accessories, hats, canes, gloves, shoes―you think of it and we probably have it in the collection. “Finishing Touches” highlights the pieces that often get overlooked on a person’s ensemble. The little personal touches that can offer insight into the wearer’s true self.
In this exhibition, the majority of objects date to the 19th century with a few examples from the 20th. A few favorites include a pair of shag mittens from the early 1800s, which have a pink tulip design on the hands, a tortoiseshell hair comb with a floral pattern of silver and mother-of–pearl inlay from the late 19th century, and a pair of sunglasses in their original case from the early 1900s.