AIHA Co-Sponsors Lecture on Colonial Jewish Silversmith

 David Barquist to speak on Myer Myers

On Sunday, June 9 at 4:30 pm, David L. Barquist, Associate Curator of the Yale University Art Gallery, will present “That Noted and Proficient Mechanic: Myer Myers, Jewish Silversmith in Colonial New York” followed by a reception at the Albany Institute of History & Art.

Barquist is the author of numerous articles in the field of colonial American decorative arts. His 1992 book, American Tables and Looking Glasses in the Mabel Brady Garvan and Other Collections at Yale University was awarded the Charles F. Montgomery Prize of the Decorative Arts Society as the outstanding publication in the field.

“The Albany Institute is honored to serve as co-sponsor for this wonderful program,” commented Christine M. Miles, director of the Albany Institute.  “Through the City Neighbors Project, the Albany Institute has worked with people throughout the community to preserve and understand the history of the region by sharing family history and collections.” 

The Albany Institute library houses a growing collection of contemporary scholarship about Jewish American art, decorative arts and local history.  Included in the Albany Institute’s collections are fifty objects, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the Labishiners, a family of three generations of German-Jewish immigrants which has lived, worked and played in Albany since the mid-nineteenth century.  Jacob (1813-1886) and Bertha (c.1813-1882) immigrated to Albany with their three children in 1853 and settled in the South End of Albany, making their home at 75 South Ferry Street.

A recent addition to the Institute’s collections include the Rubin-Mendelson Family Collection; photographs and documents related to family and business life of Russian Jewish immigrants Louis and Bessie Rubin and their children during the second quarter of the 20^th century.  The family founded the Sano-Rubin Construction Co.

Cosponsored by the Albany Institute of History & Art, the American Jewish Historical Society and the Center for Jewish Studies at the University at Albany (Host Committee Chair: Mr. Alan P. Goldberg), this presentation is free to the public.  Seating is limited.  Please call the Albany Institute Reservation Line at 518-463-5502, ext. 470.