1864 Ivory Notebook
Notebooks, sketchbooks, etc
Small notebook of ivory sheets with writing and silver clasp with writing on each page was inherited from the granddaughter of Elizabeth L. C. Dixon. The notes were various lists of items to remember, one family name "Kirkpatrick" sleigh for New Years. Just like to today, we all need little post it notes to help us remember the minutia
Mrs. Elizabeth L C. Dixon
Rev. Jonathan Cogswell
1864
Mrs. Elizabeth L.C. Dixon
CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Object
Abraham Lincoln on Ivory
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Pictorial works
Ink and watercolor portrait on oval shaped ivory of Abraham Lincoln attributed to 1860 Cooper Union CDV
Unknown
Mrs. Elizabeth L C. Dixon
1865
Caroline Welling Van Deusen, Project Archivist
CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Object
Harriet Lane Carte De Visite and card of President Buchanan
Carte de visite photographs
CDV of Miss Harriet Lane, niece of President Buchanan and the President Buchanan card.
These items may be found in Mrs. Elizabeth L. C. Dixon’s Civil War photo album, in the private collection of the Dixon - Welling family.
1861
Caroline Welling Van Deusen, Project Archivist
CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Eng-
Corked Bottle inscribed Pool of Siloam Aug 20, 1844
Grand Tour Souvenir
Glass bottle with inscription from private collection of Elizabeth L. C. Dixon, item possibly received as a gift. “Pool of Siloam,” refers to the healing waters of the Pool of Siloam in the New Testament (John 9:6).
Unknown
Mrs. Elizabeth L C. Dixon
20 Aug 1844
Miss Elizabeth Dixon Welling
CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Passed from Elizabeth L.C. Dixon to Clementine Dixon Welling to Elizabeth Dixon Welling to Caroline Welling Van Deusen
2 inches by 4 inches by 1.5 inches
Eng-
Object
Obj-2020-10-06
Gordon Granger letters
Correspondence
Letters to Elizabeth L. C. Dixon from her friend, Gen. Granger. One accepting invitation to dinner and the other inviting her to Civil War Cavalry party.
Gordon Granger
<p>Annotated Bibliography of the Dixon-Welling Family Collection</p>
<p>at Connecticut Museum of Culture and History</p>
Unknown
Miss Elizabeth Dixon Welling
CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Eng
Text
Rediscovering the Circular Sofa: An Object Lost & Found in History
Sofa/Borne -- 18th century furniture
In the realm of antique furniture, few pieces have as much charm and history as the circular sofa or borne. This unique piece of furniture has graced the homes of dignitaries and aristocrats across centuries, and each one carries a story that's as unique as its design. Today, we are delving into the fascinating history of one such piece - a circular sofa that was once a part of the Dixon-Welling family's private collection.<br /><br />The Dixon-Welling Collection<br /><br />The sofa was housed in the Washington, D.C. home of Navy Secretary, Gideon Welles during the Civil War and later in the home of Senator James Dixon and Elizabeth L.C. Dixon family known for their exquisite taste in furniture, and their collection was a testament to their love for unique, timeless pieces. The circular sofa stood as the centerpiece of their collection, embodying their passion for historical artifacts and their commitment to preserving them for future generations.<br /><br />The Journey to the Museum<br /><br />After many years in the Dixon-Welling family home, the circular sofa found its way to the Connecticut Culture and History Museum. The journey began on May 18, 1976 when Miss Elizabeth D. Welling, the granddaughter of Sen. Dixon and Elizabeth L.C. Dixon, generously donated the piece. This donation helped preserve the sofa's legacy and allowed a wider audience to appreciate its historical significance.<br /><br />A Deeper Look at the Circular Sofa (Borne)<br /><br />The circular sofa or borne is a unique piece of furniture that originated in 19th-century France. It was often found in the middle of large rooms, providing an elegant and comfortable seating area for guests. The sofa is circular and often features lush upholstery, deep seating, and intricate woodwork. It serves as both a functional piece of furniture and a statement piece, drawing the eye and sparking conversation.<br /><br />Continuing the Legacy<br /><br />The Dixon-Welling circular sofa now sits in the Connecticut Culture and History Museum under the accession number 1977.25.3. It continues to captivate visitors with its unique design and rich history, serving as a testament to the timeless appeal of antique furniture. The sofa's journey from a private collection to a museum exhibit is a fascinating tale of preservation and discovery, reminding us of the importance of preserving historical artifacts for future generations.<br /><br />Conclusion<br /><br />The journey of the Dixon-Welling circular sofa is a perfect example of how historical artifacts can be lost and then found again. Through the efforts of individuals like Miss Elizabeth D. Welling and institutions like the Connecticut Culture and History Museum, we can continue to discover and preserve these pieces of history. As we appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of the circular sofa, we also pay tribute to the people and stories that it represents.
Unknown
Mrs. Elizabeth L C. Dixon
An Annotated Bibliography of the Dixon-Welling Family Collection at Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
CHSM Accession No. 1976-05-18
Caroline Welling Van Deusen, Project Archivist
CC BY 4.0 DEED
Bequest of Miss Elizabeth D. Welling to Connecticut Museum of Culture and History in November 1976
Circular sofa
-Eng
Object
CHSM Accession No. 1977.25.3
1860-1976
Mahogany Stool
White House (Washington, D.C.) — furniture
This footstool and a tester bed were bequeathed to CHS by Miss Elizabeth Dixon Welling. These items purchased in April-May 1865 from Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln just prior to her departing the White House.
The upholstered portion looks quite new with no visible wear and depicts a light and dark blue floral pattern with a single flower repeated on a white backing.
Unknown
An Annotated Bibliography of the Dixon-Welling Family Collection at Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
CHSM Accession No. 1977-11-01
Caroline Welling Van Deusen, Project Archivist
CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
footstool
-eng
Object
CHSM Accession No. 1977.25.2
ca 1830-1850
Spectacles
Eyeglass frame industry
Spectacle case which comprises of a hard case made of black leather with blue velvet lining. The case is imprinted with: “Mary K. Nee, Optician/ 805 Main St. / Hartfor, [sic] Conn.” Also included are a pair of gold, octagonal turn-pin spectacles with small, open teardrop loops as well as a folding lorgnette with gold or gold-filled frames and clear, quadrangular lenses. A hinged bridge allows half of the frame to rotate 180 degrees, so that one lens folds over the other. A small handle on one side of the frame terminates in a large, open loop, so that a chain or ribbon can be run through for hanging.
Miss Elizabeth Dixon Welling
Gift of Miss Elizabeth D. Welling
https://citizenarchivist.omeka.net/
1976-05-08
Miss Elizabeth Dixon Welling
CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
None- no image available
Gold spectacles
-eng
Two pair of spectacles and spectacle case
CHSM Accession No. 11976.21.27-29
ca. 1850-1870
Colored Mammy doll
ca 1840 Doll
This doll is 18 1/2" tall overall and has a black guttapercha head, black kid hands, white cotton body and legs, and wears a white turban and green and white cotton print dress. It was owned by the Misses Elizabeth and Clementine Dixon, daughters of Senator James Dixon.
Miss Elizabeth Dixon Welling
Gift of Miss Elizabeth Welling
https://citizenarchivist.omeka.net/
1905-05-05
Miss Elizabeth L. Dixon
CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Mrs. Clementine Dixon Welling
-Eng
'Colored Mammy" doll
CHSM None Accession No. donated in 1952
ca. 1840
Bisque doll
Toy ca 1840 Doll
19 ½” tall, brown-eyed, blond wigged bisque doll which belonged to the donor’s mother. The full body and legs are made of white kid leather, which is stuffed with sawdust. The arms are also kid to the midpoint of the forearm where bisque forearms are attached. The eyes are fixed. The doll is dressed in white bloomers with lace trim, a white slip with lace trim and a similar overslip with lace trim.
Miss Elizabeth Dixon Welling
Gift of Miss Elizabeth D. Welling
https://citizenarchivist.omeka.net/
1976-03-29
Mrs. Clementine Dixon Welling
CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
None
19 ½” tall, brown-eyed, blond wigged bisque doll
Bisque doll
1976.21.2
ca. 1840