Things found in books: exhibit 11a - The New York Exchange for Women’s Work. The Civil War pitted brother against brother with the result being a multitude of War widows. This affected the rich and poor and everyone in between. In New York City many women who were familiar with the high life before the war, found themselves with no husband and no support. Unable to enter whatever jobs there were for women at the time, it seemed as thought there was no where for them to turn. That was until 2 ladies saw the problem and felt the best solution was an exchange. Exchanges had been around since the 1830s and were a kind of thrift store featuring knitted items and baked goods made by the war widows. As you can see from the card, a store front on Fifth avenue was probably a guarantee for success. In time, it would be, but not without loans from wealthy providers as a sort of bridge during the lean times. This particular exchange was not unique, there were many others like it around the country. It really succeeded when a restaurant was added making it the place to be seen. What’s really amazing is that my research revealed that this exchange survived 125 years. It closed in 2003 when the expense of doing business in New York City became cost prohibitive. It’s a shame we don’t read as much as we used to. There is a lot you can learn by opening a book. #found #thingsfoundinbooks #civilwar #newyorkcity #bookmarks #foundastory #history #womenatwork #Earlyentrepreneurs #urbanarcheology #estatesalefinds

Things found in books: exhibit 11a - The New York Exchange for Women’s Work. The Civil War pitted brother against brother with the result being a multitude of War widows. This affected the rich and poor and everyone in between. In New York City many women who were familiar with the high life before the war, found themselves with no husband and no support. Unable to enter whatever jobs there were for women at the time, it seemed as thought there was no where for them to turn. That was until 2 ladies saw the problem and felt the best solution was an exchange. Exchanges had been around since the 1830s and were a kind of thrift store featuring knitted items and baked goods made by the war widows. As you can see from the card, a store front on Fifth avenue was probably a guarantee for success. In time, it would be, but not without loans from wealthy providers as a sort of bridge during the lean times. This particular exchange was not unique, there were many others like it around the country. It really succeeded when a restaurant was added making it the place to be seen. What’s really amazing is that my research revealed that this exchange survived 125 years. It closed in 2003 when the expense of doing business in New York City became cost prohibitive. It’s a shame we don’t read as much as we used to. There is a lot you can learn by opening a book. #thingsfoundinbooks #civilwar #newyorkcity #bookmarks #foundastory #history #womenatwork #Earlyentrepreneurs #urbanarcheology #estatesalefinds

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This belongs in a Museum! I performed my dug up/Stand up routine for a crowd of 30 or more at the New Milford Senior Center. I donned my Indiana Jones outfit and revealed some of my favorite stories from the tag sale trail as part of their Halloween festivities. Foolishly I forgot to hand someone a camera to take pictures- so this is all you get for Halloween. Tip: Stay away from the Antique candy. #found #Halloween #costume #indianajones #publicspeaking #urbanarcheology #newmilford #foundastory

This belongs in a Museum! I performed my dug up/Stand up routine for a crowd of 30 or more at the New Milford Senior Center. I donned my Indiana Jones outfit and revealed some of my favorite stories from the tag sale trail as part of their Halloween festivities. Foolishly I forgot to hand someone a camera to take pictures- so this is all you get for Halloween. Tip: Stay away from the Antique candy. #Halloween #costume #indianajones #publicspeaking #urbanarcheology #newmilford #foundastory

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In the Navy! Death and taxes are not the only certainties in life - there’s also recruitment. If I am reading the code at the bottom correctly, this could be from 1928. Given the skills they offer, that’s an accurate assumption. #found #ephemera #military #navy #recruitment #vintagemilitary #foundastory #urbanarcheology

In the Navy! Death and taxes are not the only certainties in life - there’s also recruitment. If I am reading the code at the bottom correctly, this could be from 1928. Given the skills they offer, that’s an accurate assumption. #ephemera #military #navy #recruitment #vintagemilitary #foundastory #urbanarcheology

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Press the button set for a true mystery. I may have found some very rare buttons, but need your help. So far, I have found only places where these were listed for sale. Neither one gave any kind of in-depth description- only a high price due to the vintage reference to space. Have you ever seen these before now? Where could they have come from? They are about the size of a quarter. But have no other markers. #found #mystery #helprequest #buttons #spaceprogram #mercury foundastory #urbanarcheology #estatesalefinds

Press the button set for a true mystery. I may have found some very rare buttons, but need your help. So far, I have found only places where these were listed for sale. Neither one gave any kind of in-depth description- only a high price due to the vintage reference to space. Have you ever seen these before now? Where could they have come from? They are about the size of a quarter. But have no other markers. #mystery #helprequest #buttons #spaceprogram #mercury foundastory #urbanarcheology #estatesalefinds

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Call it what you want - outhouse, potty, privy - to a bottle digger this is a potential gold mine. Now, how do I get permission to get in there and dig? #found #bottledigging #privydigging #dumping #urbanarcheology #foundastory #photography #treasurehunt #history #connecticut

Call it what you want - outhouse, potty, privy - to a bottle digger this is a potential gold mine. Now, how do I get permission to get in there and dig? #bottledigging #privydigging #dumping #urbanarcheology #foundastory #photography #treasurehunt #history #connecticut

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Some things can be both ugly and beautiful at the same time. #found #abandonedplaces #buildings #urbanarcheology #architecture #history #Connecticut #foundastory

Some things can be both ugly and beautiful at the same time. #abandonedplaces #buildings #urbanarcheology #architecture #history #Connecticut #foundastory

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Matchbook Monday - The Motion Picture. I grew up watching Star Trek in syndication - it was all we had. Lost in Space was too hokey. The British imports “UFO” and “Space 1999” had their place, but ST was special. It reminds me of Saturday late afternoons that seemed to last forever and eventually melted into Chinese take out for dinner. The movie was a big deal but Star Wars was tough to follow and this movie seemed like a poor effort with little action and cheap special effects. Still, it made 3 times its budget at the box office. I am never disappointed when I see a collection of matchbooks at a sale. I know there will always be at least one stand out. Even if the movie wasn’t great, it launched a series of enjoyable films and refreshed careers that deserved a second chance. Smoking, even in 1979, seems highly illogical. #found #matchbook #matchbookmonday #startrek #trekkie #smoking #movies #estatesalefinds #foundastory #urbanarcheology

Matchbook Monday - The Motion Picture. I grew up watching Star Trek in syndication - it was all we had. Lost in Space was too hokey. The British imports “UFO” and “Space 1999” had their place, but ST was special. It reminds me of Saturday late afternoons that seemed to last forever and eventually melted into Chinese take out for dinner. The movie was a big deal but Star Wars was tough to follow and this movie seemed like a poor effort with little action and cheap special effects. Still, it made 3 times its budget at the box office. I am never disappointed when I see a collection of matchbooks at a sale. I know there will always be at least one stand out. Even if the movie wasn’t great, it launched a series of enjoyable films and refreshed careers that deserved a second chance. Smoking, even in 1979, seems highly illogical. #matchbook #matchbookmonday #startrek #trekkie #smoking #movies #estatesalefinds #foundastory #urbanarcheology

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I am officially installed on the board of the New Milford Historical Society. These were some of the images I shot at the annual meeting/dinner where myself and another member were voted in by the members. Happy to serve and preserve local history. #found #volunteerism #newmilfordhistoricalsociety #newmilfordct #history #goodpeople

I am officially installed on the board of the New Milford Historical Society. These were some of the images I shot at the annual meeting/dinner where myself and another member were voted in by the members. Happy to serve and preserve local history. #volunteerism #newmilfordhistoricalsociety #newmilfordct #history #goodpeople

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A Visit to Bethel Public Library to Present on my Favorite Topic.

Tonight I made my live debut at the Bethel Public Library to a crowd of 15 interested history hunters. Most were just interested in the history I’ve hunted and that’s ok. My favorite part is the opportunity after to chat with the audience - answer questions and hear about what interests them. 10/10 would do again, and again.