A Visit to Princeton University Art Museum

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Hi Friends last week my sister Noreen and I met up with our cousins Sharon and Kathi to visit the Princeton University Art Museum. It contains a vast collection of items - art, antiquities and more.

Here are the ladies…. enjoying the view of Mosaic by artist Nick Cave you see when entering the museum.

There are so many different objects to behold including the first George Washington of four I viewed, a John Singer Sargent, ceramic Coca Cola bottles, a opera dress (felt very Bridgerton to me), an incense burner and glimpse of what is outside.

Kandinsky, Rembrandt and a Durer with the original wood block from 1497.

I knew this was a George Inness - even though I was unfamiliar with this piece The Home of the Heron. The Montclair Art Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art both have works by Inness - who lived in Montclair, NJ during his life.

These pieces are incredible. A jug fragment depicting Queen Berenike II dates to 220 BCE. The details just blow my mind!

Jackson Pollock works both titled: Untitled 1951 printed 1964

This installation of bottle and mirrors goes on forever - without the viewer being in the work. The glass enclosing must be one way. Unfortunately I don’t have the title and I tried unsuccessfully to find it.

I highly recommend a visit to the Museum. The University opened this new structure October 31, 2025. Here are two articles to broaden your knowledge I read and enjoyed.

Til next time be well and enjoy the last bits of summer! See you on the Gram!

IMAGES: MYSELF, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM, INTERNET SEARCH.

A Day Spent at the Dey Mansion 6.7.26

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Friends there is so much history right in my own backyard; after watching Washington on Netflix my husband suggested we visit the Dey Mansion in Wayne, NJ. because the Continental Army was headquartered there in 1780.

What a wonderful structure. The home dates back to 1770 with a large central hall running the length of the home.

Theunis and Hester Dey stayed in the house with 8 family members during July, October and November 1780 while the mansion and grounds served as General George Washington’s headquarters. Unlike most who vacated their properties when the Continental Army took up residence Theunis Dey being a Colonel in the Bergen County Militia needed to remain on site for that reason.

The family split the house offering General Washington, his 6 Aide de Camps and offices one side, while they remained on the other half. There were 3000 enlisted men in tents on the grounds.

General WAshington’s office and dining room

General Washington’s office and dining room are in the front of the house off the large central hall. The family used this room across from the General’s.

The Ladies Parlor

General Washington’s 6 Aides-de-Camp worked and lived in the first room shown adjacent to General Washington’s office and they also utilized Colonel Dey’s office.

the extra room for the Aides-de-camp

The Kitchen was not originally connected to the Mansion. The original burned down and was rebuilt in the 1930’s. You can see the view back into the house is the Aides-de-Camp room.

washington’s bedroom during his time at the mansion.

General Washington slept in Mr. and Mrs. Dey’s bedroom. The Dey’s moved across the hall and shared a bedroom with their two daughter-in-laws. The six grandchildren of varying ages shared a single bedroom.

the back entrance of the mansion and gardens

the blacksmith at work

Outbuildings and walled garden.

To learn more history of the Dey Mansion and the events that took place during Washington’s time there click here.

Til next time be well and I’ll see you over on the Gram!

Philadelphia Freedom

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Hi friends… I enjoyed an overnight visit to Philadelphia with my sister and I’m sharing the deets! Our first stop was The Barnes Foundation - where we viewed so many wonderful pieces of art.

Our first stop lunch!

We enjoyed the exhibit From Paris to Provence: French Painting at the Barnes viewing four exceptional van Gogh pieces.

The Barnes Foundation was founded in 1922 by Dr. Albert C. Barnes and owns the largest collection of Pierre-Auguste Renoir works in the world 181.

We were fortunate most of the frames listed the artists name; because unlike traditional museums The Barnes does not have placards next to the art.

Then we checked into the Kimpton Hotel Monaco. The location is amazing - across the street from Independence Hall and the Second National Bank and down the street from the Museum of the American Revolution.

We walked over to the Benjamin Franklin Museum. I love it there! It’s on the property where Franklin’s house stood and explores his life.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner with my nephew at Tuna Bar & then we indulged in yummy ice cream at The Franklin Fountain.

On day two we spent hours at the Museum of the American Revolution. So many interesting objects showcasing the history of America’s war for independence including George Washington’s Marquee Tent.

In the lobby of the Curtis Publishing Building we viewed the largest Tiffany glass mosaic in the world “The Dream Garden” we threw coins in the fountain underneath to remember our brother on what would have been his 67th birthday. Then alighted into P.J. Clarke’s for a leisurely lunch.

One last look at Independence Hall.

So wonderful -we viewed so much beauty, were surrounded by history and enjoyed family. Til next time be well and I’ll see you over on Instagram.