Contemplating.

Contemplating.
Wayzata, Minnesota

Saturday, January 30, 2016

HHM - Resident Kitty

Hennepin County History Museum Resident Kitties where are you?




Usually the first thing to greet me in the parking lot at the museum are a variety of cats, which I have affectionately named, the resident cats.  However yesterday, there wasn't one kitty to be seen.


So I'm sharing a past kitty, from my collection of cats.

After all today is 
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS




The so called resident cats, I'm sure are just neighborhood kitties, prowling about in other backyards.




Or, perhaps they were at a cat show?


In any case follow me inside to view the main attraction of today.  Although my most favorite area is their library and archives, and the unbelievable amount of extensive records, photos and artifacts that they have-

their exhibits are forever changing for our viewing pleasures.


It's all about Figures & Follies
Hennepin County's Figure Skating story.


Back in the day, (way back) this is how a young man would appear on the ice.




This show runs October 11, 2015 through February 14, 2016.
On Valentine's Day a new exciting exhibit opens.


You view the fashion trends of the day, as skaters would cover the ice from lakes and ponds to inside rinks.  You'd catch beginners to Olympians, besides of course the local club skaters.




There were the professionals that traveled the skating circuit from the homegrown Ice Follies, Holiday on Ice and a number of other shows.

Below they're also featuring the story of
Brownbody
and their mission is, to present artistic work that combines sound and movement that extends the translation of bounded realities to tell a story.









Leaving the Figure and Follies show we step into Library and Music room off the Grand hallway.


The mansion offers Fireside Chats in this area of the house.


You really have to come and tour the mansion for yourself.

It's such a treat wandering around every level of the mansion and investigating what they exhibit on the second floor.  This visit at the top of the grand staircase we caught these lovely ladies gathered for some sort of unusual event I'm sure.



"Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it."
Yves Saint Laurent


"Isn't elegance forgetting what one is wearing?"
Yves Saint Laurent



I was enamored by this vivacious hairstyle on this personable mannequin.


Bravo to the creative paper, hair stylist.


"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
Clare Boothe Luce



Off into another room is another engaging exhibit featuring Peter Winnen, (not the former Dutch racing cyclist) but a famous wood carver and an exhibit featuring a few of his pieces of work.









So, if you're in the area, or can venture out this way, you'd be greatly entertained by stopping in.  The Minnesota Institute of Arts is one block away as well.  You can make an entire day of it.



Thanks for stopping by today, and stayed tuned for my Minneapolis Mystery marvel coming next!

19 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello Karen, what an awesome post. I love the cute kitty. The series on the ice skating exhibit is cool, the outfits were pretty. I also love the details on the wood carving, just lovely pieces of wood carvings. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!

Lea said...

Fascinating!
Have a great week-end!

RedPat said...

Such an interesting place.

Anonymous said...

That was very interesting. I love museums and history. I especially liked the wood carving. That was fabulous!

Elephant's Child said...

What a WONDERFUL museum, and tour. Thank you.

Jenny Woolf said...

I love Peter Winnen's work! How nice it would be to have a cottage decorated with panels like that. Perhaps a cat lover has moved into the neighbourhood of the museum and puts out loads of cat food so they are all round his place now! :)

Unknown said...

It looks like a fascinating (and rather large) museum indeed! Unfortunately I'm not in the neighborhood any time soon. It's nice to match the colored costumes and dresses with the old black-and-white photos.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Karen!:) A fabulous post with so much to see. I would love to visit this exibition, but will see it with pleasure through your wonderful photos instead. I used to be a fashion designer so am always interested in clothes. The wood carvings are beautiful, and last, but not least, you took a cute photo of the kittie, sitting on a very interesting bench.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Kilroy

Jeanie said...

Karen, this sounds like something I would just love. Terrific photos -- all that great fashion and the setting looks terrific. And of course, I would be eager to see the resident cats! Maybe next time they'll be out in force!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Gail said...

I could happily spend hours here.

Truedessa said...

I do enjoy visiting museums so much to see and a place to let the imagination take flight.

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

That old picture of the cat show is awesome, Karen.
~

sage said...

Looks like a neat place to dig around on a weekend afternoon.

TexWisGirl said...

adorable kitty on the bench. love the carvings!

Filip and Kristel said...

Nice such a museum, reminds me a bit of a similar one on handbags I visited in Amsterdam.

Greetings,
Filip

Murees Dupè said...

Those woodcarvings are gorgeous! The costumes are great too. The kitty sitting on the bench is so cute.

Hootin Anni said...

I would adore having the resident cats greet me at the door!! This museum looks like a fun tour....and to have the 'x'ibits change often is a plus in my book. And oh the mansion...don't get me started. Would LOVE walking through that.

Debbie said...

it is downton abby like. the carved door are beautiful!!!!