Arms Family Museum Exhibits
We all know the story of Olive and Wilford Arms, but has anyone ever wondered about the domestic servants who played a vital role in their lives?
In the years following the completion of their home, Greystone, in 1905, Olive and Wilford hired several individuals of diverse backgrounds to help care for the three-story house and tend to their personal needs. These individuals filled positions such as housekeeper, butler, maid, cook, waiter/waitress, gardener, chauffeur, and chambermaid. In the duration of their employment, some of the servants resided at Greystone with their families. The cook and the chauffeur lived in the carriage house, while the maids occupied a two bedroom and one-bathroom space on the second floor of the main house. After the death of Wilford in 1947, Olive continued to employ domestic servants for assistance. At the time of her own death later in 1960, her staff consisted of the chauffeur, a cook, and one maid. Although they worked behind the scenes, the Arms’s servants made their mark in Greystone’s history.
Learn all about who the Arms’s servants were, where they came from, and what their jobs were. The exhibit also discusses the general responsibilities of domestic servants, labor laws that impacted domestic servants, factors that influenced the rise and fall of the employment of domestic servants in the country, and statistics on the number of domestic servants employed in Youngstown and the United States from 1900-1960.
Tod Family Treasures: 19th Century Heirlooms
This new exhibit explores the Tod family legacy through their decorative arts. Family portraits, china, silver, and more will give insight into the daily lives of the Tods living in Youngstown during the 19th Century. Some pieces were gifted to David Tod during his service as U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, while others were purchased by the family.
A Tod bedroom suite recently traveled from Minnesota to make its way back to the Mahoning Valley. The Tods purchased the suite – an ornately carved walnut bed and marble-topped dressing table – from A. S. Herenden Co., a Cleveland furniture maker, sometime in the 1870s-1880s. After being used by the Tods, the suite was given to Anna Morgan King, a local friend of the family. Mrs. King passed the suite down to her niece, Anna May Morgan Curry, who subsequently passed it to her grandson, Charles P. Curry, in the late 1970s.
Tailor Made: Local Clothing and Accessories
The clothing and accessories in the exhibit reflect the talent of many local men and women. Whether tailor made for downtown Youngstown’s shops or wealthy clients, or hand-sewn for family and friends, these pieces beautifully reflect the styles of their time. The exhibit includes pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries, from simple cotton bonnets, to extravagantly beaded evening dresses.
Anne Kilcawley Christman Decorative Arts Gallery
Mid Century Modern in the Mahoning Valley
This exhibit explores the design period from the late 1940’s through the 1960’s when designers embraced technological advancements and natural forms using bold colors and streamlined edges. The exhibit highlights the 1948 Youngstown Kitchens set, pieces from the Plakie Toy company and more.
The Story of My House: Arts & Crafts Design at Greystone
This exhibit explores Greystone’s design, from conception to realization. With sketches drawn by Olive Arms, photographs of original room designs, and never before seen furniture and decorative objects, the exhibit demonstrates the Arts and Crafts influences in the Arms family home.
B.F. Wirt was a Youngstown lawyer and businessman, and served as an Ohio state senator for four years beginning in 1889. An avid traveler, Wirt amassed a unique collection of rare ancient artifacts, artwork, Asian decorative arts, as well as books, autographs and manuscripts. He intended to develop a museum for his collection, however that never came to fruition and the collection is now under the care of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society. Visitors will see a variety of items including famous autographs, artifacts from the War of 1812, a Persian (Iranian) perfume bottle, Chinese embroidery and a Native American basket.
The Hands-On-History Room is located on the bottom floor of Arms Family Museum. Visitors have the opportunity to experience life during the time the early settlers came to this area. There are many hands-on activites for the whole family to learn about the history of the Mahoning Valley.
