Museum to feature glassware display
By DARLENE SCHROEDER
Contributing writer
Glassware and aprons, plain and fancy, will be sharing the spotlight at the Mennonite Heritage Museum in Goessel from April 16 through June 30.
Donavon Schmidt of Newton will display 110 sets of his collection of Depression Era sugar and creamers, as well as 83 of his collection of Swankyswigs. Originally sold as cheese spread containers during the early 1930s through 1978, by the Kraft
Food Company, these brightly decorated glasses were popular with the economy-minded housewives. When emptied, they became juice glasses with different designs. Many have flower pictures, one set shows a bustling woman cleaning house, one created for children was called "Kiddie Kup," and one design focused on special events like the Texas Centennial in 1936. All sets have a picture on them that is either blue, red, yellow, or green.
During the Depression years another type of glassware was created. Known as Depression Glass, there are 140 identified different patterns of glassware. Patterns named Adam through Windsor will be depicted in the 110 sugar and creamer sets from the Schmidt's collection displayed in the Immigrant House. A table set for four with the "Roulette," pattern will include 28 pieces of elegant green dinnerware.
The public is invited to a free program at 2:30 on May 5. Schmidt will tell about glassware from the Depression Era, 1929 to 1939, and about his Swankyswigs. Donations will be accepted. Refreshments reminiscent of a Sunday afternoon tea will be served.
The oldest apron on display in the Immigrant House dates back to the 1870s and was owned by Anna Funk who was born in 1853 in the Molotschna Colony in Russia. She immigrated to Kansas in 1874, was married to Kornelius Unruh, and had nine children.
On display will be indigo aprons, floor length aprons, and small aprons for dolls and children. They are among the 100 plus aprons ready for viewing during regular museum hours, Tuesday through Friday from 12 to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Regular museum admission will be charged. The aprons are owned by the museum and local apron collectors. For more information, call (620) 367-8200.
