The
Knott House
The Knott House was established
in 1843 by George Proctor, a free black builder. It was first occupied by
Attorney Thomas Hagner and his wife Catherine Gamble the following year. After the end of the Civil War, Union
Brigadier General Edward M. Mc Cook used
this house as his headquarters temporarily. In 1883 the house was bought by Dr.
George Betton, a prominent physician who used it as an office.
In 1928 this house was occupied
by the Knott family. Together with other renovations, they added the front
columns. William Knott worked as tax auditor-controller and as state treasurer
in Florida for over forty years. His wife Luella was an artist and a mother.
Besides her poetry and music, she also did advocacy for social causes. She took
part in banning alcohol and other charitable causes. During their residence in
this house it came to be known as ‘The House That Rhymes’ because Luella
adorned her furnishings of the Victorian era with her poetry. Both William and
his wife passed away in 1965 only eight days apart respectively. After the
death of their son Charlie in 1985, the Tallahassee Preservation Board took
over. They undertook renovations, and it was opened to the public as the Knott
House Museum in 1992. In 1997 its administration was transferred to the Museum
of Florida. As such, all its works and shows was under the control of the
state. It is to say that the ownership and consummation or preservation of all
the works were under the protection and overlook of the relevant state
departments.
The Knott House offered a wide
range of Victorian artistry. Having grown in an orphanage Luella did not have a
lot to show off her parents. She, therefore, loved to shop for vintage pieces.
She was known for her habit of attaching her poetry to her unique antiques with
satin ribbons. Her work was a blend of history and teachings. Most of her works
and arts are thus reflective of the life she endured during her formative
years. It is however important to note and mention that the bulk or gist of her
works are sedentary and cosmetic.
The architecture of the Museum of
Florida is outstanding. One that seeks to reconcile the relationship between
man and nature. It is the home of the rich history and prehistory of the state
of Florida. This museum collects and preserves the evidence of Florida’s past
culture and the present (Kurennaya 2). It also passes on knowledge of that
heritage and promotes its appreciation. Being the State Museum, it focuses on
show casing the achievements of the people of Florida on both national and
global scope. Also on display are artifacts and eras particular to Florida’s
development.
The Knott Museum serves as more
than just that. With time it has gained popularity for the part it plays in
education. It has a program with teachers and educators who reach out to people
of all ages. They have an outreach program where the educators visit schools to
present. The engagement encourages students to think critically and understand
the diverse past of Florida.
Also, the museum often offers a
platform to celebrate the legends of Florida. Currently, it is hosting a celebration
of the life of Guy LaBree by showcasing his work of art dabbed Painted Stories
of the Seminoles. The display showcases the paintings of Guy LaBree both
original and reproduced. Empirical records postulate that he was the first
artist to do paintings themed on the Seminoles. On display too are objects from
his studio that he used throughout his career and artifacts showing his strong
relationship with the Seminoles since his childhood.
Unexpected of a museum, the Knott
House offers hope to the community. Its recent exhibit of the works of Elgin
jumper is a perfect example. In his presentation, he will recount his writing
and artwork. He will also talk about his family, his troubled youth, the
mistakes he made, and how he salvaged his life from the ruins using art and
poetry.
The Museum is proud to exhibit a
display of nearly 30,000 square feet with the permanent exhibit. Pictures evidencing the fatalities of the
civil war in Florida are widespread on this area. A pictorial story of the
civil war is told by this exhibits from the beginning of the war to the end of
that era. They explain the different fronts in that era. In the home front,
different cultures like the way of dressing are on display. In the political
arena, different figures in politics are shown (Chandler and Knott 105). Also,
it touches on early agriculture and the beginning of industrialization. Not
forgetting the medical and military operations. The exhibit paints a
chronological picture of Florida during the civil war.
A strong feature of the previous
exhibits in this museum is the Voices of Florida Women. This is a collection of
over 130 artifacts showcasing the achievements of sixty Florida Women. They
include paintings and drawings for the artwork and crafts like Seminole baskets
and clothing. This exhibit has served to educate people on the strength of the
women of Florida, their leadership and creativity.
A reputable permanent exhibit in
the Museum of Florida History is the FOREVER CHANGED La Florida. It was started
by the museum to highlight 500 years of Florida history. This program takes us
through the changing periods in the history of Florida. From its native times
to the coming of the Europeans and its adoption as a United States territory.
The exhibit features many interactive and hands-on activities. They enable an
easy understanding of Florida’s colonial history.
Just like art, a museum can serve
different courses in the society. As evidenced by the Museum of Florida the
impacts to the society go beyond recreational. It has been found to educate,
inspire and above all to preserve the history of the state.
Works
Cited
Chandler,
Kimberley, and Stephen Knott. "10 A show of hands."
Contemporary Clay and Museum Culture (2016): 105.
Kurennaya, Anya.
"Amateur Craft: History and Theory, by Stephen Knott."
(2016): 1-3.
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