MUSEUM EXPANSION UPDATES

The last two weeks of April were a flurry of exciting activities on the museum campus. After eleven years in storage, the Norton mural panels by Jonathan Poor were moved to their final home in our new exhibits building. Words can't quite capture the complexity of the undertaking, masterfully handled by preservation contractor David Ottinger, conservator Tony Castro, and a dedicated crew, so we took some pictures for you!

These photos were taken by Museum founder Julie Lindberg, and document the removal from the storage site and loading for transport.

Here are a a couple of nice close ups as the panels were being hoisted onto the truck.

Awaiting them at the museum was the partially reconstructed stairway from the Norton House, which forms the focal point of the murals installation on the first floor of the new gallery space.

INTERNET

ACCESSIBILITY EXPANSION

Spectrum's wi-fi pod (pictured above) extends the wireless

internet range of our WAV 6 router from 500ft to 800ft

The security, speed and reliability of the Rufus Porter Museum's wireless network has been vastly improved over the last few weeks. Our museum's wi-fi coverage has also expanded as a result of a a significant project of equipment enhancement and updates. The upgrade was completed in preparation for the the new exhibit spaces and galleries set to open on our larger and improved campus this summer.

Our modem and router have been updated to the most current models, now providing blazing fast internet speeds and a built-in firewall to aid with network security. In addition to the system upgrades, three wi-fi pods have been installed strategically on the museum campus to increase the range of our wireless internet in advance of the twenty new wireless devices that will debut with our new exhibits.

EXHIBIT REDESIGN

Ongoing work for new integrated exhibits across three buildings has entered the installation phase. An on-site crew from Perch Design will increase in the next three weeks, finalizing placement of new interpretive panels, interactive devices, and collections exhibits. Below, some behind-the-scenes views of support work that will underlie our new look.

RUFUS PORTER IN POETRY

May

My dear Madam May! I am sorry to say

That you look rather sickly and pallid,

As if from some hole just under the pole

Your ladyship lately had sallied.

How poets will lie—(that is, all but I!)

When they talk of your being so charming,

If truth may be told, you’re so backward and cold,

That I can’t get along without warming!

I liken your lips to rock maple chips,

Which winter’s cold drifts have laid under!

You have icicle toes and fingers like those,

And who then can love you, I wonder.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUFUS PORTER

MAY 1st