HORSING AROUND: 19th Century Cast-Iron Hitching Posts

CAST WITH STYLE: 19th Century Cast-Iron Stoves from the Albany Area

THE FOLK SPIRIT OF ALBANY: Folk Art from the Collection of the Albany Institute of History & Art

HORSING AROUND: 19th Century Cast Iron Hitching Posts

January 26 - May 25, 2008

Based on new scholarly research and a large private collection of cast-iron hitching posts accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue. Hitching posts like weathervanes were utilitarian in nature, but have easily entered the realm of folk art with their varied and imaginative decorative forms. Designs include eagles, flags, dogs, horses, portraits, hands, jockeys and natural forms of all shapes and sizes. The exhibition and catalogue will survey and explore the cast iron hitching post in America, its history and use, production, and the wealth of designs cast by various foundries across the nation. The exhibition will include approximately 70 hitching posts along with a selection of paintings, prints, broadsides and sculptures of the horses who used posts. Also included will be a small selection of patterns, trade catalogues, photographs, and other supporting material. When not in motion, hitching posts and rails secured horses and helped maintain order. Their decorative shapes were commonly seen in front of houses and public buildings, standing firm despite the adverse effects of weather. While hitching posts were made from various materials-wood, stone, metal-cast iron models displayed some of the most charming and creative designs.

THE FOLK SPIRIT OF ALBANY: Folk Art from the Collection of the Albany Institute of History & Art

January 26 - May 25, 2008

Drawn from the museum's collection of folk art dating from the 18th century to the present, this exhibition will include paintings by Ammi Phillips, Mary Gridley, Horace Bundy, Thomas Chambers, and Fritz Vogt; quilts, mourning pictures, and textiles; stoneware by Paul Cushman and a variety of materials made by unidentified artists.

CAST WITH STYLE: 19th Century Cast-Iron Stoves from the Albany Area

January 26 - May 25, 2008

This exhibition, drawn from the museum's well-known collection will include 30 stoves complemented by prints, drawings, photographs, stove catalogues, and advertising materials. During the nineteenth century Albany and Troy, New York manufacturers were considered to be among the largest producers of cast-iron stoves in the world. Stoves made in these two upstate New York cities were renowned for their fine-quality castings and innovations in technology and design. The strategic location of Albany and Troy, located nine miles apart on opposite banks of the Hudson River afforded easy and inexpensive transportation of raw materials to the foundries, and finished stoves to worldwide markets.