Salisbury Association gears up for ‘samplers’ exhibit

Salisbury Association gears up for ‘samplers’ exhibit

Lou Bucceri, left, chatted with Bill Morrill at the Academy Building last month on the subject of vintage artillery.

Patrick L. Sullivan

The next exhibit at the Salisbury Association’s Academy Building will be about samplers.

Specifically, the extensive collection of Alexandra Lally Peters of Sharon and New York, which includes over 150 samplers — mostly American — dating from 1698 to 1850.

Jane Sellery was taking a look at the logistics of the display space on Saturday, Jan. 18.

Referring to a catalog of the Peters collection, she explained that samplers are usually embroidered on linen, although there are some variations.

She pointed to the most familiar type, an alphabet, by way of orientation.

“Samplers were a status piece in the home,” she said.

The exhibit will begin at the end of February, but the dates are not yet final. The show will include a talk by Peters.

Meanwhile, a visit to the Academy Building is always interesting, because there is no way to predict who or what will wander in.

The previous day, Friday, Jan. 17, when a reporter wandered in, Bill Morrill was consulting with the Association’s Lou Bucceri about plans to head to Saratoga in the spring to consult with artillery experts at the Saratoga National Historic Park in the ongoing quest to nail down the provenance of the six-pounder cannon that stands in a corner of the Academy building.

While this somewhat circuitous discussion unfolded, two men, one youngish and sporting contemporary casual wear, the other seasoned and tending toward blaze orange and buffalo plaid, came in to take a gander at the current show on Holley knives.

And after the cutlery enthusiasts departed, a man and his elderly mother came in, on the trail of a family portrait.

If you’re keeping score, that’s two visits on successive days for a combined total of about an hour, and covering the following topics:samplers, Revolutionary War cannons, knives, portraiture and men’s fashion.

Latest News

Racecars roar in NASCAR’s return to Lime Rock Park

High-speed action made for a weekend of excitement at Lime Rock Park Friday and Saturday, June 27-28.

Photo by Simon Markow

LAKEVILLE — For the first time since 2011, Lime Rock Park hosted National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing events June 27 and 28.

It was billed as the largest event in modern track history with an estimated 20,000 fans attending.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joseph Robert Meehan

SALISBURY — Joseph Robert Meehan the 2nd,photographer, college professor and nearly 50 year resident of Salisbury, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizon on June 17, 2025. He was 83.

He was the son of Joseph Meehan the 1st and his mother, Anna Burawa of Levittown, New York, and sister Joanne, of Montgomery, New York.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Olive Zutter Murphy

STANFORDVILLE, New York — It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Olive Zutter Murphy, who went home to be with the Lord on June 16, 2025, at the age of 99.

She was born in Sharon, Connecticut on Nov. 20, 1925, and was a long time resident of the Dutchess County area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chore Service hosts annual garden party fundraiser

Chore Service hosted 250 supporters at it’s annual Garden Party fundraiser.

Bob Ellwood

On Saturday, June 21, Mort Klaus, longtime Sharon resident, hosted 250 enthusiastic supporters of Northwest Corner’s beloved nonprofit, Chore Service at his stunning 175-acre property. Chore Service provides essential non-medical support to help older adults and those with disabilities maintain their independence and quality of life in their own homes.

Jane MacLaren, Executive Director, and Dolores Perotti, Board President, personally welcomed arriving attendees. The well-stocked bar and enticing hors d’oeuvres table were popular destinations as the crowd waited for the afternoon’s presentations.

Keep ReadingShow less