Ever wonder how museums began? In the 16th and 17th centuries, wealthy European collectors began to gather their treasures into special rooms, or even cabinets, to display them. There was a wide range of marvelous objects gathered, depending on the collector’s taste: art, mechanical devices, wonders of the natural world...the rarer an item, the better! Sometimes these “wonder chambers” were used to teach the public; many were simply used to impress. Let’s have a look at how these special spaces evolved in the past and have a look at the way modern museums are recreating them. Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City all have dedicated exhibit space to these wondrous assortments of riches.

Registration is required.

About our speaker:

Mary C. Woodward has spent more than 40 years in the museum and historic home business, having earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees in Art History. She has worked at large, comprehensive collections such as the Cleveland Museum of Art and tiny properties like the 17th century log cabin that was the birthplace of President James K. Polk. Each opportunity has been an interesting and memorable experience.

Since moving to Massachusetts in 2010, Mary has worked at The Old Manse in Concord, MA, the Concord Museum and now Historic New England, previously at the Gropius House in Lincoln and currently as Lead Guide at the Winslow Crocker House in Yarmouth Port.

For six years, she established and managed the Gallery at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts, an exhibition space for local artists. Currently, Mary is the Vice President of the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth and the Collections Management Chair, overseeing the Society’s 19th century sea captain’s house and it’s collection. In the last few years, she’s enjoyed taking art history talks on the road to various libraries and retirement communities. When she’s not at work, she’s in her yard, pretending to garden.

**This program will not be recorded.

"Beyond the Library" and Cary Library's museum pass program is sponsored by the Friends of Cary Library. Learn more about the Friends of Cary Library.