The Shaw Main Exhibit Building is home to our year-round exhibits, as well as our Country Store and Library. The Main Room hosts numerous local art exhibits throughout the year and the biennial Quilt Show, as well as frequent in-house exhibits and events.
The Story of Amherst, an American Suburb
From Forest to Front Lawn explores the history of the town from the 1800 to the present. In 2,500 square feet of the Museum's main exhibition area, visitors can see how the town has developed from a thickly forested area, to an agricultural town, to the active suburb it is today. Some key highlights of the exhibit are a recreated façade of the Centre House tavern, a 1950s Nash Metropolitan Convertible, and a portion of a recreated Jimmy’s Diner with interactives for kids to learn about Amherst today.
Coming in 2010 will be two additions to the exhibit including a section
on Native Americans who were before European settlement and a history of
the Police and Fire Departments in the Town of Amherst.
BLUE MONDAY: WASHDAY AND WOMEN
This exhibit explores the technology and innovations that changed the tradition of washday for women in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Blue Monday was originally developed in 1997 as a small, temporary exhibit which would utilize the Museum’s marvelous collection of laundry related artifacts. The current exhibit tells the complex story of laundry, women, their chores and the innovations the have made their lives different, if not easier.
Blue Monday is not a simple history of the washing machine but an exhibit that which more fully explores the social, cultural and economic impact that washing machines and other laundry products had on the everyday life of women.
March 2 - December 31, 2010
STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE QUILTS
Victorian Crazy Quilts
This exhibit will explore the fashion and design of Crazy Quilts from Amherst Museum’s collection, featuring silk, satin and velvet creations. Come learn why so many Victorians were “crazed” to make their own.
The Shaw Main Exhibit Building also contains:
Erie Canal Exhibit - Teaches about the history of the Erie Canal through hands-on activities and a replica canal packet boat, as well as a working model of a canal lock. This family-friendly exhibit is a great place to learn more about the Erie Canal and to have fun. Our Education Department has toolkits and resources on the Canal available for teachers. You can also learn more about the Erie Canal here.
Pioneer Kitchen - A replica of a pioneer kitchen offers hands-on learning for children.
1880s Street of Shops - This recreation of a 1880s Main Street includes a General Store, Watchmaker, Barbershop and Pharmacist.
Martha C. Schmidt Decorative Arts Gallery - The Schmidt family’s collection of 19th and 20th century glassware and pottery is displayed.
Van Brooks Gallery of Communication - A display of television, radio and communication equipment dating from the early 1900s.
Niederlander Research Library - Research your family history, view copies of the Amherst Bee newspaper on microfilm and research local topics.
Stoddard Country Store - Our shop is reminiscent of an 1890s general store and features many unusual and unique gifts.