Building a Collection: Recent Acquisitions at Historic Deerfield

Historic Deerfield possesses one of the premier public collections of decorative arts and architecture in America, with a particular focus on the material culture of the Connecticut River Valley. The museum utilizes its collections not only to tell the stories of daily life in Deerfield and the Valley from the early pre-settlement days of the 17th century to the Arts and Crafts period of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but also to foster experiences that create an understanding of New England’s rich material legacy and natural landscape. Featuring special acquisition highlights from the past five years in the areas of furniture, ceramics, metalwork, paintings, prints, textiles, and rare books, the exhibit includes four sections that explain why and how the museum’s staff added these items to the collection. Through selective purchases and the generosity of donors, Historic Deerfield’s collection continues to grow and become more comprehensive and inclusive in the types of stories it can tell.