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| Albany Institute of History & Art |
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125 Washington Avenue |
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Albany, New York 12210 |
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518-463-4478 |
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information@ albanyinstitute.org |
| Upcoming Exhibitions | |
HORSING AROUND: 19th Century Cast Iron Hitching PostsJanuary 26 - May 25, 2008 |
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Quinn and Nolan Ale Brewing CompanyJames McGregor1902watercolor on paper, ht. 24 in., 2. 37 3/4 in.Albany Institute of History & Art, Gift of Marjorie Doyle (Mrs. Richard C.) Rockwell, 1965.43 |
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The nineteenth century was the great age of
horse-drawn transportation. Across the country in large cities and small
communities, Americans were on the move in wagons, coaches, shays, sleighs,
and alone on horseback. 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. Cast iron was an easily manipulated material, similar to plastics in the twentieth century, and was sturdy and affordable. The ease with which molten iron could be cast into almost any form allowed iron foundries to offer hitching posts in a wide range of patterns that appealed to public tastes in the last half of nineteenth century. Horse heads, for example, alluded to the function and purpose of the posts, while eagles and flag-draped posts reflected the patriotic fervor that gripped Americans around the time of the Centennial in 1876. Horsing Around: 19th Century Cast Iron Hitching Posts will be the first exhibition to 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 close to 70 hitching posts along with a small selection of patterns, trade catalogues, photographs, and other supporting material, as well as numerous paintings, drawing, prints, and photographs of horses from the Institute's collection. Most of the hitching posts come from one private collection, although a few select examples from other private and public collections will be used to highlight pattern carvers and artistic sources for hitching post designs. An illustrated catalogue of 80 pages will accompany the exhibition and will include essays about hitching post designs, their marketing and consumption, and their place in the history of American transportation and travel. The publication will feature full-color photographs and catalogue entries for selected hitching posts. |
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Pointing Hand Hitching Postfrom the collection of Phil and Bunny Savino |
World Globe Hitching Postfrom the collection of Phil and Bunny Savino |
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Horse Head Hitching Postfrom the collection of Phil and Bunny Savino |
Horse Tail Hitching Postfrom the collection of Phil and Bunny Savino |
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Judge Van Aernum in His Sleigh (John Van Aernum [1807 - 1856)Thomas Kirby Van Zandt (1814 - 1886)1855oil on canvas, ht. 24 in., w. 34 in., framed, ht. 27 3/4 in,. w. 37 1/2 in.signed "Van Zandt Albany/Feb 1855"Albany Institute of History & Art Purchase, 1946.26 |
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Eagle's Head Hitching Postfrom the collection of Phil and Bunny Savino |
Dog's Head Hitching Postfrom the collection of Phil and Bunny Savino |
Major support for the exhibition and catalogue has been provided by Ralph and Rosalie Macchio and Family, Johnson Illington Advisors, Inc., Eleanor Holbritter Nasner and Margaret F. Holbritter, Mark LaSalle, Tony and Cassandra Savino, and the Murdock Family
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