Museums Musings 12-2001

Sheri Manning, Customer Relations Manager for the Lake Helen Branch of First Union Bank recently presented the Lake Helen Museum with a rare & valuable gift. Wendie Levings, Museum Acquisition Clerk for the City recorded the donation: A 19th or early 20th century pair of oil paintings of George and Martha Washington in matching gold frames. The state of preservation is very good. Sheri advises that the portraits were given to the bank by one of its employees when the present bank building first opened. The painter is unknown but the quality is such that he or she might be identified in the future.

Those of us old enough to remember may recall the venerable schoolhouse portrait of George Washington in the clouds. The “father of our country” often hung high above the front blackboard in old classrooms. I suppose Washington’s bust above the clouds symbolized his lofty or even spiritual bearing as a revered leader of our nation. First Union’s donated paintings are somewhat in that “schoolhouse” style, a three- quarter profile of George and Martha but without benefit of clouds. It is good art and a welcomed addition to the museum. Thank you First Union Bank for being a continued good neighbor.

Historic objects & documents pertaining to Lake Helen’s and Cassadaga’s past are being sought for the Museum. Please phone Wendie at 228-2121 if you have items to loan or donate.