“Oh Baby-Growing Up in Dubois County” on display March 18 to October 1
The Dubois County Museum Exhibit team is setting up a temporary exhibit in Room One that is sure to delight your inner child. The Exhibit, “Oh Baby” will look at childhood and growing up in Dubois County.
The museum staff has been gathering from their collection of over 48,000 items those pieces that pertain to babies and infants from years past. Featured will be baby items such as a vintage stroller, crib, high chair, baby scale, toys, dolls, baby pictures and a collection of vintage clothing saved over the years by Juanita Kellams, grandmother of Cheryl Sermersheim and father of Tom Kellams of Ireland.
Sermersheim said of her contribution to the exhibit: “When cleaning out boxes and trunks in my grandparent’s house, we found several boxes of clothing that had been saved over the years. My grandmother, Juanita Kellams, was great at saving things. Luckily she would write little notes on clothes to explain to whom they belonged. She always called her husband Daddy but fortunately she would add Robert to the note so we wouldn’t be confused [example Daddy (Robert’s) shirt]. I especially loved some of her notes “Tommy wore this, I just couldn’t throw it away.” Items that were brought in with this collection ranged from my father’s clothes [born in 1935] to my great-great-grandmothers or grandfathers [late 1860s] clothing. Included were not only infant clothing, but wedding attire, hats and caps, slips and camisoles, dresses, skirts, doilies and driving gloves. Some items show the wear and tear from over the years, some were in very good shape yet, but fragile. Clothing was not very colorful, as I’m sure it was due to the availability of fabric.”
The opening of the exhibit will be held on Thursday evening, March 18.
This night the museum will be open from 5:30-8 p.m. for visitors to come in and enjoy the museum. This is a Free Admission Night, as part of the Third Thursday program that began last June at the museum. The exhibit can also be viewed during regular museum hours of Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. -2 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. -4 p.m., and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. All times are Eastern. The museum is closed on Monday.
About the Dubois County Museum
The Dubois County Museum is a local nonprofit organization committed to the collection, preservation and interpretation of historical artifacts and information important to the citizens of the county. Museum operations are funded by annual memberships, admissions, donations and gifts from visitors, area residents and businesses. It is located in Jasper at 2704 N. Newton Street (US 231). Call 812-634-7733. Please allow two hours to view exhibits.
