
Brenton Simons on history, genealogy, collecting, and the arts
THE ANTIQUARTO

A rare likeness of George Washington
One of my favorite things to occasionally give as a gift to friends, colleagues, and supporters of the New England Historic Genealogical Society is this hand-casted likeness in plaster of George Washington. This rare image, which is duplicated from an 19th c. antique copy in my possession, is known at the "Homer Likeness of George Washington," and is thought to be a duplicate of the original work of an as yet unidentified 18th French artist in America. I made the example abov

American History, Art and Culture: a festschrift for Jonathan Fairbanks
Pictured: Jonathan L. Fairbanks at the Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, Massachusetts. By courtesy of Wicked Local. A festschrift honoring Jonathan L. Fairbanks, the distinguished American decorative arts expert, who served as longtime curator at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and most recently as Director of the Fuller Craft Museum, will be published in June 2018 by Fuller Craft Museum. Entitled "American History, Art and Culture: Writings in Honor of Jonathan Leo Fairbanks,

Voice of the Wampanoag People
I am pleased to announce that the multi-media exhibition,"Our Story: 400 Years of Wampanoag History," has opened at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, 99-101 Newbury Street, Boston, and will be free to the public now through Wednesday, April 25, 2018: This exhibition is created entirely in the voice of the Wampanoag people. The exhibit brings to light a piece of history that had a significant impact on the Wampanoag tribe and their relationship with the Pilgrims.

Shakespeare to Hip Hop!
The Boston Athenaeum has announced a what promises to be a fun performance with literary performers and educators: "Shakespeare to Hip Hop: A Shakespeare Time-Traveling Speakeasy," on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 6 pm: "Scholar or novice, student or teacher, Shakespeare Time-Traveling Speakeasy offers an engaging new approach to the Bard, using blues, jazz, hip hop, and country music as the backdrop for stories, poems, songs, and humor." For more details, visit bostonathenaeum.