Archival Anecdotes: New beginnings

Welcome to a newly relaunched edition of Archival Anecdotes! This exclusive feature first came to be during the 2020 pandemic and continued to the end of 2021.

In past editions of Archival Anecdotes, I took readers back to the beginnings of Eddy County- some 140+ years ago. Readers learned about the commercial development that came to define Eddy County, as well as some of the modern inventions that undoubtedly influenced life on the prairie. We took a look at some of the fashion and styles of the early 1900s, and got to know some of the early business owners. There's still so much more to share and discuss.

If you have been to the Eddy County Museum, then perhaps you have noticed how many artifacts seem to be feminine in nature– with lacy frills and floral designs. You'd be right to wonder how the museum came upon so many purses, collars, petticoats, and such.

The short answer is simple: somebody put it there.

But as you might expect- there is more to the story.

A beautiful knit shawl was donated by Addie Leske, as well as many elements of the fiber arts. Edyth Piper donated a box camera, a cookie press and a washboard. Other items such as a telegraph key, a beaded cape and dinnerware were donated by Dorothy Beardsley.

In time these names became familiar; it wasn't until I uncovered a light blue suitcase in a dark corner of the museum's Hulbert Schoolhouse that I began to see how these names, and many others, were collaborating to preserve Eddy County's history.

Within that suitcase were the records of a women's club known as The Pioneer Daughters, and many, many of the names I had come to recognize were on the meeting roster.

At this time, the Eddy County Museum had yet to be thought of, and three years would pass until a board of directors was established. The seeds for the idea of a museum were just beginning to sprout, and no one could imagine what would come to be.

This is where our story begins.

Calendar 1919 and Jan 1919

This Calendar of Cheer pocket edition was a gift from students to their teacher Miss Laura Pomranke in 1919.

History tells us the years leading up to 1919 were a tumultuous time, filled with war, crisis and pandemic. Human empathy tells us many folks were looking for a little added cheer.

Is it possible that more than a century later, this Calendar of Cheer might brighten our prospects in 2023?

Let's take a moment to see what the past has to offer us!

The Calendar of Cheer reads, "If any little word of ours can make one life the brighter; If any little song of ours can make one heart the lighter; God help us speak that little word, and take our bit of singing, and drop it in some lonely vale, and set the echoes ringing."

Wishing you a year full of cheer and joy!

The Eddy County Museum is open to the public on Sundays 1-4pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day, or by appointment. Visit our website at eddycounty.catalogaccess.com to search our collections year-round.