Ox Bow Decor
Ox Bow Decor provides both indoor linen, down/feather filled and outdoor Sunbrella ® with poly fill for indoor/outdoor use.
All Square Pillows are 20" x 20".All Lumbar Pillows are 13" x 19", 15" x 23" and 14" x 28".
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Warm White Linen / Available with cording or knife edge finishSunbrella Fabric / Available with cording or knife edge finish
A group of Painted Buntings are collectively known as a ‘mural’ or a ‘palette’ of Buntings.
This information is included on a decorative tag with each pillow shipped.
The Nightingale is a morning bird and sings loudest at dawn. In urban areas, the Nightingale will sing louder to drown out the noise of the city.
Devouring three hundred insects a day, the Songbird’s appetite controls the potential for crop damage of farmers.
Singing at dawn, dusk or after the rain, the Thrush chirps with a flute like sound.
The Flycatcher’s simple song mimics a squeaking sound or monotonous whistle.
The Plover, characterized by relatively short bills, hunt by sight, rather than by feel as longer billed waders.
The elaborate courtship display of a Mandarin Duck involves whistling calls, rising of crests and sail feathers and head bobbing.
A rooster, also known as a male chicken, can travel up to 9 miles per hour and live to 20 years.
The Red Golden Pheasant is susceptible to bleaching if exposed to too much sun, but is protected by living in shadowed forests.
The Toucan’s loud frog like call can be heard up to a half a mile away in the jungle. Even though their beaks appear to be heavy, they actually are hollow. When asleep, the Toucan’s head turns so that the beak rests on their back and their tails fold over their heads forming a ball of feathers.
Peacocks historically have been pets of the royalty. They have a significant need for companionship and if alone too much can become heartbroken. Only the males have colorful trains which are used to gain the attention of females (peahens) and encourage them to mate. Their trains making up more than 60 percent of their total length can be arched into beautiful fans reaching across their backs and touching the ground on either side.
Hummingbirds are the tiniest birds in the world; a baby is often smaller than a penny. These tiny birds are very smart, though, and can remember every flower they have been to. They can even hear better and see farther than humans. Hummingbirds are able to flash their bright colors and hide them when needed.
Baby owls are known as owlets and a group of owls are called a parliament. Owls are thought to only hoot, but they also make other sounds such as screeches, whistles, barks, growls, rattles and hisses. During the nesting season, owl calls can be heard as far as a mile away and female owls usually have higher ‘voices’ than the males. Although they cannot turn their heads all around, owls can rotate their heads as much as 270 degrees.
Warm White, Beige, Blue Mist, Sea Foam, Sea Green Linen / Available with cording or knife edge finishWhite Sunbrella Fabric / Available with cording or knife edge finish
Moose are the largest of all the deer species.
Only male moose (bulls) have antlers. The particular shape differs from animal to animal and are shed every year around November and are replaced in the Spring with larger ones. The antlers are for display during the competitive mating season. Moose are peaceful animals and very rarely become aggressive although they will defend themselves if threatened and males become more highly strung during the mating season.
Rabbits are not as common as one would think. As natural runners, they can reach speeds of up to 40 mph and can jump up to thirty-six inches or higher. Their twenty-eight teeth never stop growing though out their life. Wild female rabbits can produce about eight litters in a year and the largest litter known is twenty-four. The world’s largest rabbit is named Darius and weighs 49 lbs., is 4’ 4” tall and is insured for 1.6 million dollars.
Most leopards are known for their cream and gold spotted fur, but some leopards have black fur with dark spots often looking like panthers. Their tails are almost as long as their bodies and help them with their balance and ability to turn quickly. Mostly nocturnal, they hunt their prey at night and protect their food from other animals by hiding it high up in trees. Often leopards will leave their prey up in the tree for a long time and return to eat only when hungry.
The reindeer, also known as a caribou in North America, is one of the most extensively travelled animals. It may cover as much as 35 miles a day and its migration routes can be as much as 2,000 to 3,000 miles. The calf of a reindeer weighs 11-20 pounds, will stand on his or her legs within minutes of birth and can outrun a human at one day old.
Black bear are the smallest of bear species in North America with grizzly and polar bears being the largest. Black bears stand 2 to 3 feet at shoulders and 4 to 7 feet long from nose to tail. On average, black bears live 20 years in the wild.
Cheetahs are members of the cat family but can’t climb trees and drink water usually once every 3-4 days. They run very fast, up to 70 mph in just 3 seconds. Their long tails are like boat rudders helping them steer and change direction when running at top speeds. Cheetahs hunt during the day and were kept as hunting pets as far back as 3000 BC.
Zebras are very social animals and will sleep only when they are close to one another to warm each other. They prefer to graze together and will often groom each other. They can run up to 65 m/h and their speed, stamina and zigzag motions help evade predators. Zebras will communicate with each other through nonverbal expressions such as sniffing and the positioning of their ears and tails. They can turn their ears in any direction and are calm and friendly when their ears are erect.
Monkeys are thought of as social animals and often will groom one another to promote bonding. They can understand written numbers, count objects, and perform basic calculations. Head bobbing, pulling their lips and yawning is a sign of aggression, but monkeys will express affection when they are grooming one another. They exist almost everywhere on earth except Australia and Antarctica and can live in the wild anywhere between 10 and 50 years.
Hipster Pets are just like their human counterparts; they are comfortable expressing themselves wearing whatever they fancy. From holiday garb to work attire to clothes just to hang out in, they are good to go in whatever they choose. Just being themselves is what it is all about.
A crown is typically a type of headgear symbolizing power and glory. A wreath made of flowers and leaves, especially ivy, is often a more informal type of crown. Crowns worn by rulers often contain precious stones and the ‘crown jewel’ is sometimes used as an expression for the most valuable and successful person or object.
Two times a year, mallards molt or shed their flight feathers which ground them for several weeks until these grow back. This takes place in time for the fall migration. During this period, the male ends up losing his well recognized green head of feathers, but retains the white collar ring and rusty color chest. The female has a distinctive quack and the male is quieter typically making a more nasal sound.
The Green Wing Teal is the smallest dabbling duck that is native to America. Known for its speed, it can fly up to 60 mph and typically travel in a tight V formation. Teals are very good swimmers and divers and will dive more for protection from predators than for food. They are also very fast on foot, walking and running for long distances.
Due to its unique profile, the Canvasback is considered to be the ‘king’ or ‘aristocrat’ of North America. The Canvasback is a diving duck and is known to be a fast flier able to reach speeds of up to 70 mph. Female Canvasbacks have a distinctive hoarse growl and males, who have red eyes, make strange hooting noises.
Nicknamed ‘The Greyhound of the Air’ because of its long narrow wings, the Pintail is able to fly very quickly. Female Pintails protect their young by flying at an intruder and quack loudly as opposed to the male Pintail that makes a soft whistling sound. Pintails can be found as far north as Alaska and as far south as Mexico. They are social birds and often cohabitate with other duck species as well as swans and geese.
The state flower of Colorado, the Columbine often represents ‘folly’ in the secret language of flowers and its petals symbolize the gifts of spirit.
Discovered in a villa in Crete as far back as 1580 B.C., Lilies have long held a role in ancient mythology.
Believing the Rose to be an aphrodisiac, the Romans and Greeks sprinkled rose petals in their wine and beer.
A Magnolia tree can grow up to ninety feet and its extraordinary potential height reinforces the flower’s symbolism of dignity and nobility.
The Magnolia wood is used in the building industry as well as in canoe construction.
Magnolias are the oldest living plants in the world and date back to the time of the dinosaurs.
The Chrysanthemum symbolizes optimism and joy and Japan celebrates the flower each year with a ‘Festival of Happiness’.
A single Chrysanthemum petal placed at the bottom of a glass of wine is said to predict a long and healthy life.
The amaryllis originates from South Africa and its remarkable bulb can produce flowers for up to 75 years. In history, it has symbolized pride, determination and radiant beauty. Considered an option for an expressive gift, the amaryllis plant is sometimes given to express how important the giver feels the recipient to be.
The name coreopsis comes from the Greek meaning of ‘having the appearance of a bug’. Because its bug-like shaped seeds resemble a tick, the flower is also called tickseed. A member of the daisy family, it has played many roles in history. Meskawaki Indians boiled the seeds and drank the brew and some boiled the seeds to make a poultice to relieve rheumatism. Some species of the coreopsis were used as dye plants.
The geranium plant has had many roles in history. The wild geranium rhizome, rich in tannin, was used by early American settlers to tan hides. Tea made from wild geranium flowers was believed to counter many love spells and its root was carried as an amulet to attract happiness and prosperity. The geranium is often referred to as a ‘crane bill’ because the un-sprung column resembles the bill of a crane.
The Hyacinth is a symbol of sport or play from the Victorian time period although the blue Hyacinth represents sincerity. In the Netherlands, the common garden Hyacinth now is occasionally cultivated for the perfumery trade. Most hyacinth perfumes sold, though, are synthetic. Today their bulbs are mostly grown in Holland and Great Britain even though Hyacinths originated in Turkey and the Middle East.
The Hydrangea, often used for weddings, symbolizes sincerity, enduring grace and forever love. The plant itself can range in height from 2 feet to 10 feet and the climbing variety can reach nearly 80 feet. Hydrangea’s colors can range dramatically from pink to blue if the soil’s acidic level is altered.
At the bud stage, sunflowers have an unusual trait called heliotropism. It is when the bud of the sunflower faces the sun at all times during the day starting the day facing east and and ending it facing west. The sunflower can grow up to 18 feet and the tallest recorded was 25 feet in the Netherlands in 1986. A single sunflower can have up to 2000 seeds and the largest sunflower head grown was in Canada measuring 32 1/2 inches.
Thunbergia, also known as the black-eyed Susan vine, has heart shaped to triangular leaves and trumpet shaped flowers. The plant is used in traditional herbal medicine to treat skin problems, joint pains, ulcers and eye inflammations. The leaves are valued for their detoxifying properties in Thailand and Malaysia and are dried to make herbal teas.
The blue water lily is the celebrated national flower of Sri Lanka. The Impressionist artist Claude Monet (1840-1926) used the water lily in over 250 of his paintings. Water lilies create shade and protection for fish in landscape ponds and offer a gentle resting place for frogs and dragonflies. The ‘Giant Water Lily’ found in the Amazon is the largest of its kind and can grow up to 2-6 feet in diameter providing food for fish and wildlife.
Blue Flowers are often a symbol of inspiration, hope and beauty. This association comes from the color blue being the universal color of peace and tranquility. Within the floral industry, a bouquet delivery of blue flowers may be selected to convey calmness and serenity.
The Peony flower is associated with romance, prosperity, good fortune, a happy marriage, and compassion. Some believe that the peony connotes bashfulness. In ancient and medieval times, peonies were valued for their medicinal uses. Their roots and seeds were thought to cure more than twenty diseases including epilepsy and snake bites. In England, children wore peony root necklaces to prevent seizures and help teething pain.
Insect symbolism dates back to Ancient times. The Scarab, or more commonly known as the Beetle, was an iconic symbol of the Ancient Egyptians representing eternity. Native Americans think of the spider as having a creative spirit due to the complicated web that they make. Additionally, they believe the butterfly is a symbol of transformation and resurrection. Its movement reflects the need for change from where we are to our next phase of life. Almost universally, the dragonfly, signifies change, especially in self-realization.
The name lavender is derived from the Latin verb, lavare, which means to wash. Lavender oil can be used to sooth aching muscles and joints, reduce anxiety and stress and to induce sleep. It comes from the same family as mint and has been used as a headache remedy for centuries.
Hops is a key ingredient in making beer. It is a tall, ornamental climber plant that grows very fast~ 15'-20' a year. Its pine fragrance attracts butterflies.
Pansies are edible and often used for cake decorating and cocktail garnishes. They are high in vitamins A and C tasting like a slightly floral version of lettuce. Pansy flowers can be used to make syrup, flavored honey and natural dyes. Additionally, they have medicinal properties in treating inflammation.
Tulips take center stage in the spring announcing a new season and are often associated with rebirth. The Netherlands is the world’s largest commercial exporter of tulips. In Victorian times, tulips would symbolize charity and today many are used in fundraisers.
The poppy flower with its fragile paper like blossoms unfortunately only lasts for a few days. In WWI and WWII, poppies became important symbols of remembrance for fallen soldiers as well as a sign of peace, beauty and fertility.
The Lotus is the national flower of India and Vietnam. It makes a better aquatic plant than cut flowers and has edible tubers. Favored by many, the lotus flower represents long life, health, honor and good luck.
Although the Madagascan Butterfly is very colorful, the iridescent parts of the wings are colorless. This color is created by optical interference.
Often called the ‘Milkweed Butterfly’ because its larvae eat the plant, their wingspan can be close to 5”.
A tagged Monarch Butterfly has been recorded to have flown 265 miles in two days.
Morpho Butterflies natural habitat is in the forest but they will venture out into the sun to warm themselves. Natives along the Rio Negro in Brazil once collected their iridescent and metallic wings to make ceremonial masks.
Carp were semi-domesticated by monks in the 13th century. They attempted to breed them with fewer scales in order to make it easier to prepare the fish.
Unlike the Disney Clownfish character in ‘Finding Nemo’, Clownfish will not venture more than 2-4” from their symbiotic sea anemone for fear of loosing it to another Clownfish.
A vegetarian, the Mullet is the only fish with a gizzard, used primarily to grind up and digest plant material.
Clownfish are all born males and only the most aggressive ones eventually turn into females.
Angel Fish are one of the most commonly kept freshwater fish purchased for aquariums. They are easy to breed and their unusual shape and color are desirable. They are known for their intelligent behavior and are believed to recognize their owners.
Most spawning salmon need to return to the stream where they were born sometimes overcoming great distances and hazardous conditions. A Chinook salmon tagged in the central Aleutian Islands was recovered one year later in Salmon River, Idaho 3,500 hundred miles away. The trout, a member of the salmon family, may leave their fresh-water homes following a river out to sea, but they, too, must return to the stream of their birth to spawn.
Tunas are one of the most migratory of all fish; sometimes traveling from North America to Europe several times in a year. Climbing Perch have an accessory air-breathing organ making it possible to survive out of water for a considerable amount of time.
The Striped Bass gained popularity in colonial times. European settlers and New England Indians caught and dried the fish in large quantities and harvesting continued into the 20th century. The Bluefish migrate as far south as Florida in the winter and return to the Northeast and Canada in the warm summer months.
The Northern Pike, known simply as a pike, is also called ‘jackfish’ or simply ‘Northern’ in the upper Midwest of the USA. The name ‘walleye’ is derived from the fish’s eyes pointing outward as if they are looking at the walls. The fish’s eyes are an advantage that allows them to see sufficiently in rough water to locate their prey.
The bass is America's favorite game fish. Known as an ‘ambush’ fish, bass find cover through rocks, tree stumps and roots. They have strong tails, good vision, excellent hearing and have vibration sensitivity. The spawning characteristics of the bass are unique; the male bumps into the female to stimulate her to release eggs. Eggs hatch 2 to 5 days after they have been fertilized. The male bass remains near the bed protecting the young from predators. After about a week, he needs to satisfy his hunger and becomes a predator himself, consuming as many of his own offspring as possible.
Red Snapper can be found as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as the Yucatan and Caribbean. They can be caught year round in Louisiana sometimes not migrating and existing for years at the same structure. Red Snappers live in and around structures for protection and favor Louisiana’s many offshore oil rigs. They can be caught in water from 60 to 300 feet deep and can grow as large as 40 inches and weigh 50 pounds and live more than 50 years.
Sea Trout and Brown Trout are the same species. Some trout, though, have an anadromous lifestyle and will go to sea to feed before coming back to spawn. At sea the trout has access to a much richer source of food and becomes larger than the trout that has remained in the river. Spotted Sea Trout can grow up to 3 feet and weigh 15 pounds, but most are commonly are in the 4 pound range.
The Nautical Compass is also called the Compass Rose or Wind Rose. Its fleur-de-lis figure originates from the T in the north wind’s name ‘Tramontane’ that indicates the north direction.
The earliest Anchors, traced to the Bronze Age, were probably rocks. Baskets of stones and large sacks filled with sand and wooden logs filled with lead were used by the ancient Greeks. Metal anchors were not introduced until much later because the material was considered too precious for moorings.
A Sand Dollar’s age can be determined by its number of growth rings. The life span is between six to ten years. Five ‘teeth like’ sections along its mouth grind up its food, which consists of tiny plants and animals.
Contrary to popular belief, not all Starfish, also known as Sea Stars, have five arms. They can have up to 40 arms. Their eyes look like red spots at the end of their arms and can sense light and dark.
Red coral can be found both in the Mediterranean Sea and in the coastal waters of Japan. Its unique color does not change when removed from the water making it highly desirable for the jewelry industry.
Seahorses are known to form territories; males stay within 11 feet of their habitat while females ‘wander’ about 100 feet from it. These unique fish turn bright colors in ‘social situations’ or in unusual surroundings.
Three classic sailboat designs are depicted; the spacious Falmouth Cutter, the Alberg 22 built in the 70’s through the mid-80’s and the Edel 665, which had been constructed in Canada and France, and is now out of production.
Anglers to imitate fish prey as early as 200AD in Macedonia used furs, feathers and colorful threads attached to a hook to create the first known fishing flies.
The International Maritime Flag System has been in use for over 150 years by sailors and boaters to signal between ships and shore. The 18 original flags could convey up to 17,000 different messages.
A barkentine has at least three-masts and is rigged with square sails (yards hung on horizontal spars) on the foremast. Barkentines were considered the workhorses of the Golden Age of Sail in the mid 19th century completing similar passages to fully rigged ships yet with smaller crews due to their unique sail configurations.
Natural Linen / Available with cording or knife edge finish
Like lobsters, crabs have teeth in their stomachs and grow claws back if they loose them. Male crabs will grow one larger claw not for defense or attacks, but to impress female crabs. The crab’s underside is called the apron and is a moveable flap. The male’s apron is shaped like the Washington Monument and the mature female apron looks like the capital.
Lt. Blue Linen / Available with cording or knife edge finish
Lobsters navigate by smell, taste with their feet and listen with their legs. Their brains are in their throats and, like crabs, their teeth are in their stomachs. As they grow, they molt or shed their shells several times to form new shells to fit their growing bodies. This process takes place every 2-4 weeks.
Lt. Blue Linen / Knife Edge
Major diving competitions took place as early as 1871 off the London Bridge. After that diving was incorporated into most aquatic meets. Men’s diving became part of the Olympic games in 1904 when it was called ‘fancy diving’. Women’s diving was added in 1912 and synchronized diving became a medal event in 2000.
Lt. Blue / Available with cording or knife edge finish
Leatherback turtles are the largest of all sea turtles and the fastest swimmer. They can migrate thousands of miles under water and return to the same spot from where they left. Sea turtles first appeared in the ocean over 200 million years ago during the age of dinosaurs. Sometimes called the last dinosaurs, they are endangered today.
‘A Day at the Beach’, like a picnic, is a delightful and idyllic way to pass the day- a fun time, a perfect day.
The concept of a picnic evolved from the elaborate traditions of moveable outdoor feasts enjoyed by the wealthy centuries ago. Medieval hunting feasts, Renaissance era country banquets and Victorian garden parties were the predecessors of the picnics we have today. Beach picnics are a relaxing way to enjoy the sun, beach and ocean view. The meal can range from a very simple snack to an elaborate multicourse meal. Either way, it offers a great break from the indoors and allows the participants to enjoy the beach without having to leave to eat.
The earliest anchors can be traced back to the Bronze Age and cork was the first material used for life preservers. The familiar red and white Kisby ring came into use in the 1800's and is named for its inventor, Thomas Kisbee who was a British naval officer. The Royal Life Saving Society deemed lifebuoys unsuitable for use in swimming pools during emergencies because they are too heavy and hard. They considered that throwing them into a crowded pool had the potential to cause more harm than good and they were replaced by the preferred torpedo buoy.
A cabana is a shelter type structure used near the water primarily for changing clothes and offering protection from the sun and sand. It is typically a light, tent type structure. Cabanas can be found in a variety of designs often in bright colors and fabrics offering a stylish option for the sunbather at the beach or pool.
Sea Kelp is the same as seaweed or algae and is harvested for food, medicinal purposes as well as in the use of various products such as soap and glass. It is often a component in personal care products such as makeup, shampoo and toothpaste. Some species of sea kelp create large forests in shallow water known as rain forests.
In the early 1900's, bathing suits became less bulky and exposed more flesh. They became a one piece garment with a long top that covered shorts. Coordinated stockings continued to be worn, but swimwear started to shrink and more skin was exposed from the bottom of the trunks to the tops of the stockings. In the mid-1920's, Vogue magazine featured swimsuits that were jersey bathing suits as near a maillot as 'the unwritten law would permit'.
Ropes are instrumental in controlling the sails, docking, mooring and anchoring of a sailboat. Various rope knots are needed to control all of the various lines, painters, halyards and sheets of the boat. As in sailing, knotting has its own language. For instance, the running end of the rope is the part used in making the knot, the standing part is not used in forming the knot and the bight is the bend in the rope between the two ends.
Octopi have three hearts, no bones and are unable to maintain their shape out of water. They have very good eyesight, but cannot hear. Like chameleons, they are able to change their color and even their skin texture to blend into their surroundings so their enemies; i.e. sharks, dolphins and eels have difficulty seeing them. To escape a predator, some octopi will even shed an arm as well as squirt ink at an attacker to alter its sense of smell and sight.
Sperm whales are found in every ocean in the world and eat close to a ton of food daily consisting mostly of fish, octopi and squid. They have the largest brain in the world, close to 20 lbs. and can hold their breath for at least an hour. The Sperm Whale was the focus in Melville’s Moby Dick.
Oyster, Coral, Sea Foam, Sea Green, Light Blue, Antique White and Maize Linen / Available with cording or knife edge finishAntique White Outdoor Fabric / Available with cording or knife edge finish
Sea shell collecting began hundreds of years ago and was a hobby of many European kings and wealthy people in the late 1600’s. Early shell collections were called, ‘cabinets of the curious’ and included shark’s teeth, fossils and other natural objects. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, having a sea shell collection could be compared in value to a vintage automobile collection today. Shells are the hard protective outer layer created by an animal living in the sea. This layer is actually the empty exoskeleton of invertebrates.
In their hey-day around 1910, there were 220 lighthouses constructed in the U.S. Michigan had the most (90) followed by Maine with close to 80. Today there are approximately 600 lighthouses in the U.S., but not are all in use. The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor was the first lighthouse to use electricity. From its beginning in 1886 until its deactivation in 1902, its torch carried an electrical light that could be seen from 24 miles away.
Sardines believe in ‘safety-in-numbers’; they travel in schools to avoid predators. This behavior of many fish moving as one is mysterious, but researchers believe it is due to their ability to sense water currents and pressure. Heavily fished during the first half of the 20th century caused a decline in their population; the sardine industry has fortunately experienced a growth spurt since the 1980’s.
A sail is a piece of fabric used to catch the wind in order to drive the boat across the water. Modern sails are made of Dacron; early sails were made of animal skins. Different types of sails are used for different applications. Summer sails are selected for tropical conditions, storm sails are used for bad weather, racing sails are favored by racers and cruising sails are preferred for everyday conditions.
Sailors have a language all of their own. Some of the unique sailing expressions one might hear include ‘Above Board’, ‘As the Crow Flies’, ‘Footloose and Fancy Free’, ‘Pipe Down’ and ‘Three Sheets to the Wind’. Famous sailors in history include Francis Drake, Christopher Columbus, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Herman Melville and Ferdinand Magellan; well-known fictional sailors include Popeye, Captain Hook, Robinson Crusoe and Sinbad.
The art of placing a ship in a bottle dates back to the early 19th century. When sailors were at sea on long voyages sometimes for months, they needed to find a way to pass the time and entertain themselves. Materials such as wood and rope were plentiful and were consequently incorporated into the fine craft they developed. Today, older models of these boats in a bottle bring a small fortune at auction.
Mermaids, often called ‘women of the sea’ in folklore are considered fish-like people who swim in the sea. Stories about them have circulated in many cultures throughout the years. In Europe, mermaids were a sign of trouble for sailors and fishermen. Seeing a mermaid could mean that a storm was coming or that you were about to drown. Others saw mermaids as healers offering medicinal potions. Some believed that mermaid kisses had magical powers which would allow you to travel underwater.
Cape Cod is known as the ‘Land of Lighthouses’~ it has more lighthouses than any other county in the United States. Until the early 1900’s, Cape Cod was united to the mainland.
Nantucket is a town, county and island with more than 82 miles of beaches. From the mid-1700s to the late 1830s, Nantucket was the whaling capital of the world.
Martha’s Vineyard was created about 10,000 years ago as a result of glacial action and is currently the third largest island on the East Coast of the U.S. It is the largest not connected to the U.S. by a bridge or tunnel.
Rhode Island, the smallest state in the country, has many historical ‘firsts’ to boast about. Pawtuxet Village in Warwick is New England’s oldest village and the Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport is the country’s oldest library. Portsmouth is home to the country’s oldest schoolhouse (c.1716) and Newport has the oldest synagogue in North America and was the site of the first circus in the United States (c.1774). Additionally, Polo was played for the first time in the U.S. near Newport in 1876.
Maine has over 3,500 miles of coastline, more than California. There are over 5,000 miles of coast if you include all of the islands ' coastlines. The state is the largest supplier of two products in the U.S. food industry. Maine supplies close to 90% of the country's lobsters and 99% of our blueberries.
Of the thirteen original colonies, New Hampshire was the first to declare its independence from England-six months before the Declaration of Independence was signed. The first free public library in the U.S. was established in Peterborough in 1833. Recreation is a big industry and the quintessential New England community of Wolfeboro is known as ‘The Oldest Summer Resort in America’. One of its most famous natural landmarks is the granite profile of ‘Old Man of the Mountain’, the Man’s head measures 40 feet from chin to forehead and is made up of five ledges.
Block Island sits 13 miles off the main shore of Rhode Island and east of Montauk Point, New York. The retreat of the glaciers 21,000 years ago formed the island’s rolling hills, striking bluffs and beautiful beaches.
Cape Ann includes the city of Gloucester and the towns of Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport; it is home to fishermen, artists, merchants and writers. Approximately 30 miles northeast of Boston, Cape Ann is located at the northern most point of Massachusetts Bay and is a favorite destination of many tourists. The Annisquam River is at the end of Cape Ann and splits Gloucester into two parts. The land east of the Annisquam historically has been referred to as ‘The Island’ because many of the ‘old timers’ there believe this area is very self-sufficient and has everything they need.
Pirates believed that having women on board their ship was bad luck and that wearing pierced earrings would improve their eyesight. They also held the belief that whistling on a ship would cause the weather to turn stormy as in “to whistle up a storm.” Talking parrots were not part of their history.
The dolphin has many talents. They can swim up to 25 miles per hour for a long time, leap up to 20 feet in the air and dive up to 1000 feet. A group of dolphins is called a pod and the bonds of dolphins in a single pod are very strong. Dolphins have been noted to care for the sick, elderly and injured with great care.
Most seals have thin fur and use blubber for insulation. They live in the cold ocean waters of the Arctic or off the coasts of Antarctica. Some will even make caves in the snow for themselves. Fur seals, on the other hand, are so-named because they have thick fur that can trap air and help keep them warm. When mating, males will make deep, throaty calls to attract the attention of females. Becoming very territorial, they will go so far as to fight other male seals to mate with as many as 50 females in their area.
In Latin, the scientific name for walrus means ‘tooth-walking sea-horse’. Its strong tusks are used to pull its bulk from the ocean onto pack ice which makes the walrus look like it is walking on its tusks. Walruses can remain under water for up to 30 minutes before coming up for air. When they do, they can be very gregarious and are often found in tight groups that may number into the thousands. Needing shallow ice shelves and frigid Arctic and sub-Arctic waters to live, walruses will slow their heartbeats to be able to stand the cold water temperatures. A walrus can live up to 30 years.
Chris Smith was 13 when he built his first wooden boat in 1874. The Michigan based Chris Craft Boat Company was launched in 1881 when Chris’ brother, Hank joined him and they began to build boats full time. They favored using teak, brass and mahogany in constructing their boats and attracted many famous buyers including Henry Ford, William Randolph Hearst, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Katherine Hepburn. After WWII, Chris Craft introduced a large group of civilian pleasure boats suited for the American consumer expansion in the 1950s. The company offered 159 different boat models and Chris Craft boats became synonymous with pleasure boating.
Canoeing has been a sport for years, but originally canoes offered early settlers a way to hunt as well as a type of transportation for trading their products. The first canoes were created by hand using wood and bark. Birch bark was the preferred material being lightweight, smooth, waterproof and resilient. Later, canoes were constructed out of wood and canvas and then aluminum. Today’s canoes are typically constructed from a type of molded plastic or fiberglass.
Rowing began in Egyptian times and didn’t became a competitive sport until the early 1700’s when races were held on the Thames in London. Many rowing enthusiasts today favor wooden oars with bands of different colors. Oars are surprising light, each weighing approximately 2.5-3.5 lbs. The blades can vary in size and shape and need to be tailored to the rower’s skill level. A blade that is too small can cause a strong paddler to waste energy and cause unnecessary exhaustion.
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The Stove Fern, unlike most ferns that prefer shade, humidity and moist soil, has been appropriately named because it happily tolerates heated rooms in the company of Cacti and succulents.
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The cucumber is technically classified as a fruit because it has an enclosed seed and develops from a flower. The expression, ‘Cool as a Cucumber’ originates from the fact that the core can be 20 degrees cooler than the outside air.
In Henry IV, Shakespeare states “We have the receipt of fern-seede- we walke invisible”. Because ferns do not flower, they do not make seeds. The idea that because fern ‘seed’ is invisible, you too could be invisible if you have the seeds.
Also referred to as the ‘Southern Brittle Fern’, the Southern Fragile Fern is one of the world’s most common fern varieties with populations as far reaching as the Siberian cool mountain regions to the high altitude tropics.
The Double Buckler Fern has a scent similar to hay and its ashes, which contain a large amount of potash, can be used in the manufacturing of soap and glass. Its roots are harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use, but not stored for more than 12 months.
The Buckler Fern is found all over the British Isles and throughout Europe. Many traditions and superstitions were connected to the Buckler Fern as early as the 16th Century, “A person who can wear fern seed about him, will become invisible”.
The plantain has numerous ‘healing’ qualities in various cultures. Native Americans rubbed its juices on the wound of a snakebite; the Irish used it to treat bruises. Its juice can soothe an insect bite and halt the progression of poison ivy if applied to the skin immediately after contact.
Much folklore has been written about ferns. ‘A storm may be caused by pulling ferns up by their roots’, ‘burning ferns can cause terrible weather’ and ‘ferns tied to the ears of horses, will protect you from the devil’ were all well-known superstitious beliefs.
This villa is an example of architecture from the Federal period (1780-1840). Characteristic of this time is the symmetrical design, Palladian style windows, dentil moldings and decorative crowned roof over the front door. As in many other architectural styles, the Federalist style was rooted in the British Isles.
This structure was typical of the Second Empire Baroque style (1860-1880) and of French origin. It was influenced by the additions to the Louvre in the 1850’s as well as the Paris Opera House. The style was mainly found in public and residential architecture.
In this cottage residence, typical of the American Victorian Gothic era (1860-1890), the emphasis was on materials of differing colors and texture to create decorative bands highlighting corners, arches and arcades. Traditional Gothic (pointed arch) windows as well as terra cotta tiles were commonly used.
Typical of the Italianate style (1850-1890), this villa was an example of the balanced symmetrical rectangular shapes and Roman or segmented arches above the windows and doors of this period. Emphasis was on a tall appearance with 2, 3 or 4 stories as well as porches topped with balustrade balconies.
This one story home shows the Victorian influence (1837-1901) in the large pane glass windows. There are also suggestions of the Greek Revival era (late 1800’s-early 1900’s) in its symmetrical design and the columns on the entry porch. Dining rooms flank both sides of the front to back hallway.
The aristocracy in the capital or major city home mostly used this townhouse style. In Britain during the social season and when parliament was in session, peers and servants relocated into their townhouses in the capital.
Typical of architecture of the Napoleon III Parisian architecture, this ‘private’ hotel was built during the Second French Empire (1852-1870). The Napoleon III style is synonymous with the renovation of Paris under Baron Haussmann who redesigned the layout of the city.
This ‘private’ hotel designed in the Napoleon III style has many architectural details of the Second French Empire (1852-1870). The windows as well as the double entrance doors are tall and arched. The roof is a Mansard style and the building is richly appointed yet has clearly defined outlines.
The architectural style of this apartment house in Paris is from the Napoleon III period (1852-1870). Much attention was given to lavish details both in the building and furniture of this time period. It coincides with the renovations of Paris under Baron Haussmann when urban planning was taken to a new level.
The design of this Parisian apartment building was from the Napoleon III period (1852-1870), also called the Second Empire Design. Inspiration was paramount as was the use of extravagant materials, exquisite fabrics and lavish furnishings.
A two-family cottage in the United Kingdom, c. 1900, typically housed a scullery. The scullery was a small room within or next to the kitchen used for household chores- cleaning dishes, washing and ironing clothes.
Hepplewhite furniture (1780-1810) is a neoclassic style overlapping the Federal period in the U.S. Furniture legs are characteristically straight and can be square or tapered often with fluted edges or reed motifs similar to Classical columns. Pieces are often adorned with inlays and paint adding stylistic value to the line.
Typical of French Renaissance or Mannerism Architecture, the Grand Palace has both flat and three dimensional surfaces with patterns, motifs and sculptural ornament.
In Chinese folklore, the saddle is considered a symbol of peace. The horse is associated with speed, power and perseverance. It has been said that no animal has contributed more to the spread of civilization than the horse.
There are conflicting thoughts about how a horseshoe should be viewed. An upright open horseshoe is considered good luck, a storage container for good luck floating by. In the reverse position, some believe that good luck will fall out. Others think that a horseshoe hanging down will release its luck to the people around it.
A jockey’s weight and height are of utmost importance in the horse racing industry. Most jockeys are less than 5’6” and average 115 lbs. In spite of their size, jockeys must be able to control a horse that is moving at 40 mph and weighs 1200 lbs.
The horse is a symbol of intelligence, courage, nobility, speed, and grace. It also signifies energy and impulsiveness. The horse does have the universal meaning in all cultures of freedom and power.
Polo is considered the oldest game in the world; it began in Persia in the 6th Century. Originating as a war game, it taught warriors fast thinking and agility on horseback. Polo was introduced to England in 1869 and the U.S. in 1876 near Newport, RI. The last time it was an Olympic sport was in 1936.
Fox hunting has roots dating back to Colonial days~ even George Washington kept a pack of foxhounds. American and English foxhounds are typically used in the hunt and are never referred to as dogs. The horses are known as hunters and are usually some type of Thoroughbred cross.
The first saddles used were bareback pads around 700-800 BC. Saddles were significantly improved in the Middle Ages by knights needling to support the weight of their heavy armor and weapons. Many variations in the design have evolved throughout the years depending on the supportive needs of the rider and the comfort of the horse.
A bit rests where there aren’t any teeth on the bars of the horse’s mouth and along with the bridle, helping the rider communicate with the horse. The expression, ‘Champing or Chomping at the Bit’ comes from the anxious behavior of a horse pawing and tossing its head at the starting gate before a race.
Mister Ed was a television comedy show that first aired in 1961. Mister Ed was not just any horse, he was a troublemaker who only talked to his owner, Wilbur Post.The horse is a symbol of intelligence, courage, nobility, speed, and grace. It also signifies energy and impulsiveness. The horse does have the universal meaning in all cultures of freedom and power.
Horse racing varies greatly by the country where the race takes place. The style of racing, the distances and the type of events may all be different. There are three major types of horse races; ‘flat racing’ where the race is based on speed and stamina on an oval track, ‘steeplechase’ where the race horse jumps over jumps and ‘harness racing’ where the horse trots or paces and pulls a driver in a sulky.
Show jumping began in France in 1866 and moved into England 15 years later. Jumping became popular after fences went up in the English countryside and foxhunters had to teach their horses how to jump over them while hunting. When it was first introduced in America, it was known as a lepping competition. What pole vaulting, high jump and hurdles are to track and field, show jumping is to the sport of horseback riding.
Foxes are a part of the Canidae family which wolves, jackals and dogs are part of as well. They actually have many likenesses to cats, though, in that they have sensitive whiskers and spines on their tongues. Foxes walk on their toes and have retractable claws which help them climb. Like cats, their pupils are vertical which help them see at night. Their sense of hearing is amazing; foxes can hear a watch tick 40 yards away.
Dressage dates to the 1600’s and was first thought of as a gentleman’s sport to train cavalry horses. Considered the highest expression of horse training in equestrian sport, dressage movements are predetermined before the competition by the rider and horse. Even though it is not breed or gender specific, women have won the gold medal at the Olympics for dressage since 1998.
Jockeys wear the horse owner’s choice of silks, and their patterns and colors must be registered with the racing commission at the racetrack. There are over 20,000 silks registered worldwide through the jockey club. Bright and colorful silks help identify the horse during the race. Early on silks were made of silk, but today nylon and Lycra are the preferred fabrics because of their durability. These fabrics are also beneficial because they can be more form fitting adding an aerodynamic advantage.
The Union Jack, also known as the Union Flag, is the flag of the United Kingdom. Much symbolism is associated with its colors- white represents peace and honesty, red represents bravery and valour and blue represents truth and justice.
The Jack Flag consists only of the stars of the U.S. and were increased as states were added. Traditionally used by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, it is considered a maritime flag and flown on the jackstaff in the bow of a boat.
The first rocket to put humans on the moon was built in Huntsville which is known as the rocket capital of the world. Alabama, not Louisiana, introduced Mardi gras to the western world. The state’s capital, Montgomery, was the birthplace of the Confederate States of America as well as the home of the first electric street car in the nation. Magnolia Springs, located at the headwaters of the Magnolia River, has the only waterborne mail delivery system in the continental United States.
Arizona operates on its own time. Residents observe Mountain Standard Time on a year round basis. The Navajo Nation, in the northeast corner of the state, is the one exception where the daylight savings time change is observed. Also in the northeast corner of the state is the area known as the Four Corners, the unique location in the United States where a person can stand in four states at one time. Outside of the Grand Canyon, the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City is the largest tourist attraction in the state. In 1968 when London replaced the bridge, it was purchased, disassembled and reassembled across a canal in the lake.
Arkansas, also called the "Natural State" for its natural beauty, clear lakes, streams and abundance of natural wildlife. It is first in the country in the production of rice and poultry and Alma, Arkansas claims to be the spinach capital of the world. Diamonds are the official state gems and Arkansas has the only public diamond mine in the world called the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. Mountain View is referred to as the folk capital of the country and is the largest producer of handmade dulcimers in the world. Arkansas can also boast to have had the toothbrush invented there.
California is also known as ‘The Land of Milk and Honey’, ‘The El Dorado State’, ‘The Golden State’ and ‘The Grape State’. Sonoma County is responsible for ‘The Grape State’ nomenclature where more than 300,000 tons of grapes are grown yearly. Fresno is known as the Raisin Capital of the world and Castroville is considered the artichoke capital. Another important title is given to Fallbrook for being the world’s avocado capital. The Hollywood Bowl is the world’s largest outdoor amphitheatre. It is fitting that so many celebrities make their home in the Los Angeles area which is where the first motion picture theatre opened in 1902.
Colorado attracts many outdoor enthusiasts with an average of 300 days of sunlight a year. Its southwest corner borders New Mexico, Arizona and Utah and is commonly referred to as the "Four Corners" - the only place in the country where the corners of four states meet. The cheeseburger was invented in Denver which is where the largest rodeo, the Western Stock Show, takes place. Denver is known to have the largest city park system in the U.S. with 205 parks in the city limits and 20,000 acres of parks in the nearby mountains.
The state of Connecticut can boast many "firsts" in the nation. New Haven published the first telephone book in 1878 with only fifty names. The Hartford Courant, the nation’s oldest newspaper, began in 1764. In 1771, the Scoville Memorial Library in Salisbury opened the first publically funded library in the country. The first automotive law was passed by the state of Connecticut in 1901; the speed limit was set at 12 miles per hour. In 1937, Connecticut became the first state to issue permanent license plates for cars. Other notable inventions include the first hamburger (1934), Polaroid Camera (1934), helicopter (1939) and color television (1948).
According to a survey by the National Science Foundation, Delaware has more doctoral level (Ph.D.) scientists and engineers as a percentage of the population than any other state. Delaware also has a higher rate of patent awards per person than any other state. It is the second smallest state next to Rhode Island and has one of the smallest populations. Delaware is one of only five states without sales tax. In 1880, the first beauty contest in the United States was held in Rehoboth Beach. Thomas Edison was one of three judges; it was called the "Miss United States Contest" which was the forerunner of the "Miss America" pageant.
Florida, over the years, has become one of the world’s most popular tourist magnets. Disney World, Everglades National Park, Cape Kennedy, Cypress Gardens, Sea World and Daytona Beach are all on the ‘to do’ lists of many visitors. Fort Lauderdale has been nicknamed the ‘Venice of America’ because the city has 185 miles of local waterways. Sunscreen cream was first invented in Miami Beach in 1944 and the serene seaside resort town of Sarasota was the first winter home of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Georgia, the largest state east of the Mississippi, is often called the Empire State of the South. Also known as the Peach State and Cracker State, Georgia is the nation’s largest producer of peanuts, pecans and peaches. Savannah, often referred to as the Southern Belle of the Georgia Coast, is called America’s first planned city with a series of town grids, wide streets and 24 public squares. Atlanta boasts more shopping center space than any other city except Chicago and has been nicknamed, The Garden City, because of its many large private gardens.
Idaho is appropriately named the ‘Gem State’ where seventy-two types of precious and semi-precious stones can be found, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world. The state has the deepest river gorge in the North American Continent called Hells Canyon. At 7,900 feet deep, it is deeper than the Grand Canyon. American Falls is the world famous mineral hot springs in Lava Hot Springs. Sun Valley started the world’s first alpine ski chairlift. It was built by engineers in 1936 at the Union Pacific Railroad and designed after a banana boat loading device. The cost was 25 cents per ride.
Illinois is a state with many unique "historical firsts". It was the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery in 1865. The world’s first skyscraper was built in Chicago in 1885 and the first aquarium was built there in 1893. The world’s largest cookie and cracker factory (Nabisco) is in Chicago. The ice cream sundae was invented in Evanston and the Chicago Public Library is the world’s largest public library with more than 2 million books.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the site of the first long distance auto race in the country on May 30th, 1911. Today this race is known as the Indianapolis 500 and is held every Memorial Day weekend. The race is 200 laps or 500 miles long. Indiana is credited with many important inventions. The first practical gasoline pump was designed in Fort Wayne which is also where the first professional baseball game was played. In 1914, the famous Raggedy Ann doll was created. Indiana produces more than 20% of the United States’ popcorn supply. In a typical year, almost half of all cropland in Indiana is planted in corn. Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five got their start in Gary, Indiana.
Iowa is the biggest producer of corn in the United States and Cedar Rapids has the biggest cereal company in the world, Quaker Oats. Elk Horn is the largest Danish settlement in the United States and Kalona is the largest Amish community west of the Mississippi River. Snake Alley in Burlington is known as the most crooked street in the world. With its beautiful campus, Cornell College in Mount Vernon has many of its buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sumner County is known as 'The Wheat Capital of the World'. In 1997, Kansas produced a record 492.2 million bushels of wheat which was enough to make 35.9 billion loaves of bread. Kansas had the first woman mayor in the country, Susan Madora Salter. She was elected to office in Argonia in 1887. Dodge City, Kansas is the windiest city in the United States.
The Kentucky Derby, the oldest continuously held horse race in the country, takes place in Louisville the first Saturday in May. Lexington, in the state’s Bluegrass Region, is known as the "Thoroughbred City" as well as the ‘Horse Capital of the World’. The underground vaults in Fort Knox store the largest amount of gold in the world. Kentucky is known as the Bluegrass State and the song, "Happy Birthday to You" was created in 1893 by two sisters in Louisville.
Louisiana is the only state in the union that does not have counties; instead there are political subdivisions called parishes. New Orleans is home of the Mardi gras which originated in Southern Europe. New Orleans is a popular tourist destination known for its jazz and Cajun cuisine. Its Superdome is the largest steel constructed ‘room’ in the world without posts. Breaux Bridge is known as the ‘Crawfish Capital of the World’ and Rayne is considered ‘The Frog Capital of the World’.
Maine has over 3,500 miles of coastline, more than California. There are over 5,000 miles of coast if you include all of the islands’ coastlines. The state is the largest supplier of two products in the U.S. food industry. Maine supplies close to 90% of the country's lobsters and 99% of our blueberries.
The state of Maryland has many unique historical attributes. In 1902, it was the first state to enact workmen’s compensation laws and some of its land in 1791 was actually given up to form Washington, DC. The state sport, jousting dating back 300 years, is a competition between two armored competitors on horseback in which each tries to strike the other with a lance. With its prominent waterfront, Annapolis is considered the sailing capital of the world. The interior of the state, on the other hand, is heavily treed and 43% of it or 2.7 million acres is covered with forests.
The state of Massachusetts is the home of many ‘firsts’ – Lowell was the first planned industrial city and where the industrial revolution began. Boston Common became the first public park in America and Revere Beach was the first public beach in the United States. Boston built the first subway system in the country and the first basketball game played was in Springfield in 1891. The Boston University Bridge on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston is the only place in the world where a boat can sail under a train driving under a car driving under a plane.
The Great Lakes are very connected to Michigan’s industry and recreation. Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the world and more than any other state other than Alaska. Its nickname is the "Great Lakes State". Also called the "Wolverine State" or "Water Winter Land", Michigan is the leader nationwide in the ownership of recreational boats and in the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. It is home to more public golf courses than any other state and ranks first in the country in the number of registered snowmobiles.
Minnesota is a shopper’s dream with its Mall of America in Bloomington which is the equivalent of 78 football fields. With so many lakes in the state, Minnesota has a record number of boats; it is estimated that there is one recreational boat for every six people, more than any other state. The country’s first Children’s Department opened in 1889 in the Minneapolis Public Library. Minnesota is known for its many inventions - scotch and masking tape, the stapler, Wheaties cereal, Bisquick, HMO’s, the Bundt pan and Green Giant vegetables. The first open heart surgery and bone marrow transplant in the country took place at the University of Minnesota Hospital.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast from Biloxi to Henderson Point is the largest and longest man made beach in the world. Belzoni is thought of as the catfish capital of the world. The Mississippi Delta is the birthplace of the Blues which preceded the birth of jazz, the only other American art form. Mississippi has more tree farms than any other state and more churches per capita than any other state. The first Parents-Teachers Association was founded in Crystal Springs and Mississippi University for Women in Columbus became the first state college for women in 1884.
Missouri ties with Tennessee as the most ‘neighborly’ state in the country; it borders eight states. St. Louis is also called ‘The Gateway to the West’ and ‘Home of the Blues’. In 1904, at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, the ice cream cone and ice tea were invented. St Louis is also the home of Anheuser-Busch brewery, the largest beer brewery in the nation. Kansas City has more miles of boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city other than Rome. It is known for its barbecue restaurants and has more per capita than any other city in the country.
Montana, also known as the ‘Treasure State’, has many different species of mammals; elk, deer and antelope populations outnumber people. Glacier National Park has 250 lakes within its boundaries; Flathead Lake alone contains over 200 square miles of water and 185 miles of shoreline. It is considered the largest natural freshwater lake in the west. Ironically, Montana has the worlds shortest River, the Roe River which flows for 200 feet. Yellowstone National Park in southern Montana and northern Wyoming holds the distinction of being the first national park in the nation.
Even though Nebraska has more miles of rivers than any other state, it was once called ‘The Great American Desert’. Nebraska is known for its many inventions - Kool-Aid, the Reuben sandwich, Cliff Notes, The Gallup Poll, Duncan Hines Cake Mix and the 911 emergency systems. Notable Nebraskans include Warren Buffett and Buffalo Bill Cody who in 1882 held his first rodeo in North Platte. Hebron, Nebraska boasts the largest porch swing in the world which can seat 25 adults.
The state of Nevada has more mountain ranges than any other state with its highest point at the 13,145 foot top of Boundary Peak near the west central border. Most of the state is desert, but the Sierra Nevada mountain range near Reno and the Ruby Mountains near Elko has snow for half of the year. Nevada is the largest gold producing state in the nation, second in the world behind South Africa. The Hoover Dam, one of the largest single public works project in the history of the United States, contains 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete, enough to pave a two lane highway from San Francisco to New York. Construction worker hard hats were first invented specifically for workers on the Hoover Dam in 1933.
Of the thirteen original colonies, New Hampshire was the first to declare its independence from England-six months before the Declaration of Independence was signed. The first free public library in the U.S. was established in Peterborough in 1833. Recreation is a big industry and the quintessential New England community of Wolfeboro is known as 'The Oldest Summer Resort in America'. One of its most famous natural landmarks is the granite profile of 'Old Man of the Mountain', the Man's head measures 40 feet from chin to forehead and is made up of five ledges.
New Jersey has the highest population density in the U.S. and tourism is its second largest industry. Cape May is considered the oldest seashore resort in the country. The state is said to have the most diners in the country and is sometimes referred to as the diner capital of the world. The light bulb, phonograph or record player and motion picture projector were invented by Thomas Edison in his Menlo Park laboratory. Hoboken is the home of the first baseball game ever played and the first drive-in movie theatre was opened in Camden.
New Mexico is one of the four states bordering Colorado, Utah and Arizona at the Four Corners ~ the unique location in the United States where a person can stand in four states at one time. The state also shares an international border with Mexico. The Rio Grande is the state’s longest river and runs the entire length of New Mexico. Santa Fe is the highest capital city in the United States at 7000 feet above sea level. The city has a world famous open air theater in the foothills of the Sangre de Christo Mountains. Each October Albuquerque, the state’s largest city and home of the University of New Mexico, hosts the world’s largest international hot air balloon fiesta the first weekend in October.
New York City is also referred to as the big apple which was coined by musicians to play 'the big time'. The city's subway system is the largest mass transit in the world with 468 stations, 842 miles of track and runs 24 hours a day. New York State boasts many 'firsts'. Saratoga Springs has America's oldest and most popular thoroughbred race tracks. The oldest cattle ranch in the United States was started in 1747 in Montauk, Long Island.
Rochester is known as both the 'Flour City' and the 'Flower City' and is home to the first abolitionist group, bloomers, marshmallows, jell-o, French's Mustard, baby shoes, gold teeth and the mail chute. The Erie Canal which was built across New York State in the 1820's, opened the Midwest to development and helped NYC become a worldwide trading center.
North Carolina leads the nation in furniture, tobacco, brick and textile production. It was the first state in the nation to establish a state museum of art and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill is the oldest state university in the country. In 1903 the Wright Brothers made the first successful powered flight by man at Kill Devil Hill near Kitty Hawk. The Wright Memorial at Kitty Hawk now commemorates this achievement. The first miniature golf course was built in Fayetteville. The Biltmore estate in Ashville is America’s largest home and includes a 255 room chateau, an award-winning winery and extensive gardens.
The town of Rugby, North Dakota is the geographical center of North America. Ten thousand years ago, the state’s eastern edge was a vast glacial lake. Devil’s Lake is the largest natural body of water in the state and this very fertile prairie lake grows large numbers of walleye, northern pike and white bass making it the Perch Capital of the World. North Dakota is also known to grow more sunflowers than any other state. North Dakota boasts the worlds largest all sports store, Scheel’s Flagship Store in Fargo, with an indoor Ferris wheel.
Ohio has many firsts. In 1865, the first ambulance service began in Cincinnati and Cleveland is responsible for the first traffic light to be installed in 1914. The first automobile service station opened in 1899. The Wright Brothers were the first to introduce the airplane in Dayton and Ohio was the first state to enact laws protecting working women. Oberlin College founded in 1833, is credited with the first interracial and coeducational college in the country. Seven U.S. presidents were born in Ohio, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William H. Taft and Warren G. Harding. Notable personalities from Ohio include Steven Spielberg, Paul Newman, Annie Oakley and Clark Gable.
Oklahoma has the largest Native American population of any state in the U.S. Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state, with over one million surface acres of water. Antlers bill itself as "The Deer Capital of the World" and the "Gateway to Southeast Oklahoma". Oklahoma is bordered by six states. Bob Dunn, a musician from Beggs, Oklahoma, invented the first electric guitar in 1935. Known as the Antique Capital of Oklahoma, Jenks is home to the state's best variety of antique stores, gift shops, galleries and museums. An Oklahoman, Sylvan Goldman, invented the first shopping cart. The National Cowboy Hall of Fame is located in Oklahoma City.
Oregon's natural beauty draws many visitors for outdoor adventures. Eugene is rated by 'Bicycle Magazine' as one of the top ten cycling communities in the country and the Columbia River gorge is considered by many to be the best place in the world for windsurfing. Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States, is formed in the remains of an ancient volcano and is a popular site for scuba diving.
The state of Pennsylvania is home to many ‘firsts’ – the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia in 1776, the first baseball stadium was built in Pittsburgh, the Little League Baseball’s first World Series was held in 1945 in Williamsport, Lancaster is the largest Amish settlement in the world and Kennett Square is the mushroom capital of the world. Punxsutawney is billed as the weather capital of the world as a result of its famous forecasting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.
Rhode Island, the smallest state in the country, has many historical 'firsts' to boast about. Pawtuxet Village in Warwick is New England's oldest village and the Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport is the country's oldest library. Portsmouth is home to the country's oldest schoolhouse (c.1716) and Newport has the oldest synagogue in North America and was the site of the first circus in the United States (c.1774). Additionally, Polo was played for the first time in the U.S. near Newport in 1876.
South Carolina is known for its silly city names like ‘Coward’, ‘South of the Border’ and ‘Welcome’. Charleston boasts the first public college, museum and playhouse in the United States. The first game of golf played in the U.S. took place in Charleston. Aiken is the proud home of the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Hilton Head Island, a popular attraction for vacationers, has 42 square miles of semi-tropical landscape and has been named one of the ten best golf resorts in the world.
The faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are sculpted into Mount Rushmore, the world’s greatest mountain carving. Seen from a distance, the pine covered hills which rise several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie appear black. The name ‘Black Hills’ is derived from the Lakota words, Paha Sapa, which mean ‘hills that are black’. Also notable is the Flaming Fountain on the State Capitol which is fed by an artesian well with natural gas content so high that it can be lit. The fountain glows continuously as a memorial to all veterans.
Tennessee ties with Missouri as the most ‘neighborly’ state in the country; it is bordered by eight states. Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland in Memphis, is the second most visited house in the United States. Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, the longest continuously running live radio program in the world, has been broadcasted every Friday and Saturday night since 1925. There are more than 3800 documented caves in the state and Reelfoot is considered the ‘Turtle Capital of the World’.
Everything in Texas is big. Its cattle population is estimated to be close to 16 million~ not that much less than the state’s population. There is more land farmed in Texas than any other state and Texas, itself, is bigger than many nations of the world including every country in Europe. Texas is the largest wool supplier in the nation. Central Texas is often referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley of the South’, and is home to both Dell and Compaq computers. The capitol of Austin is home of the University of Texas’ main campus and is proud to be known as the live music capital of the world.
Utah is the site of the nation’s first department store, Zion’s Co-operative Mercantile Institution, established in the late 1800's. Because of the state's inland location, Utah's snow is unusually dry earning it the reputation of having the world's greatest powder. Utah has five national parks: Arches, Canyon lands, Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef. Kanab is known as Utah's Little Hollywood because of the large number of motion pictures that are filmed in the area. There are 11,000 miles of fishing streams and 147,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs in the state. The average snowfall in the mountains near Salt Lake City is 500 inches.
Montpelier is the smallest state capital in the country with a population fewer than nine thousand people. Vermont is the second least populated state in the U.S. after Wyoming. Forests cover more than three-fourths of the state and billboard advertising is not allowed. IBM is the largest employer in the state and Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream Company give their ice cream waste to the local farmers who use it to feed their hogs. Their least favorite flavor is Mint Oreo.
Virginia has many historical ‘claims to fame’. The state was once a much larger parcel of land until parts of Kentucky and West Virginia were carved out from it in 1792 and 1863. Eight U.S. presidents were born there, more than in any other state. In addition to being the capital of Virginia, Richmond was once the capital of the Confederacy. The first peanuts were grown in Virginia and more people work for the United States government than in any other industry which is close to 25% of the working population.
Washington State, the only state to be named after a United States president, is home to many internet companies including Amazon.com, Classmates.com, Whitepages.com and Marchex. There are more glaciers in Washington than the other 47 contiguous states combined. Seattle is America's coffee capital and Washington is the largest producer of apples and red raspberries in the country.
West Virginia is considered the southernmost northern state and the northern most southern state. Nearly 75% of the state is covered by forests and as much as 15% of the nation's total coal production comes from West Virginia. Coal House, the only residence in the world built entirely of coal is located in White Sulphur Springs. West Virginia was the first state to have a sales tax (1921). The state is the location of the first spa opened to the public in Berkeley Springs as well as the first electric railroad in the world.
Recreation is an important industry in Wisconsin. Its Door County has five state parks and 250 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan - greater than any other county in the country. Wisconsin can boast many ‘firsts’; the typewriter was designed in Milwaukee in 1867, the nation’s first kindergarten was started in Watertown in 1856 and the first Ringling Brothers Circus began in Baraboo in 1884. The state is considered the dairy capital of the United States and more milk is produced there than any other state. Wausau is the Ginseng Capital of the World; Bloomer is the Jump Rope Capital of the World and Two Rivers is the home of the ice cream sundae.
Wyoming is the 9th largest state in the U.S., but has the lowest population. It ranks second to Texas in wool production and has the largest coal mine (Black Thunder) near Wright and leads it in coal production. Yellowstone National Park became the first official National Park in the country in 1872 with the majority of the park in Wyoming. Devils Tower was designated as the first national monument in 1906 and Wyoming is proud to be the first state to give women the right to vote in 1869.
Cape Cod is known as the ‘Land of Lighthouses’~ it has more lighthouses than any other county in the United States. Until the early 1900’s, Cape Cod was united to the mainland. The US Army Corps of Engineers dug the 17 ½ mile long, 480 foot wide Cape Cod Canal between 1909-1914. As a result, the ‘Cape’ became an independent land mass. The Canal is the world’s widest sea level canal.
East Hampton was the third Connecticut settlement on the East end of Long Island. Not until four British frigates captured what is today New York City was East Hampton released from its Connecticut governance. Deep Hollow Ranch, located in the hamlet of Montauk at the end of the island, was established in 1658 and is the oldest continuously operating cattle ranch in America.
Fenway Park is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium in America. As of April 2012, the Red Sox have had 717 consecutive sellouts~ the longest streak in Major League Baseball history. There have been additions made over the years at Fenway such as ‘The Triangle’, ‘Pesky’s Pole’ and the famous ‘Green Monster’ ~ features that contribute to it being a very beloved and unique stadium.
Lake Erie is the most shallow and southernmost of the five Great Lakes and is covered with ice in the winter. It is also the warmest and most biologically productive of the lakes. There are 24 islands in Lake Erie including Middle Bass Island that had a winery on it at one time.
Martha’s Vineyard was created about 10,000 years ago as a result of glacial action and is currently the third largest island on the East Coast of the U.S. It is the largest not connected to the U.S. by a bridge or tunnel. The ‘Vineyard’ is home to one of the first known deaf communities in America and, as a result, there was a special dialect of sign language (MVSL) developed on the island. All six major towns on the island have unique characteristics making it a special vacation destination.
Nantucket is a town, county and island with more than 82 miles of beaches. It is 14 miles long between 3 and 5 miles wide on the average and does not have a single traffic light. From the mid-1700s to the late 1830s, Nantucket was the whaling capital of the world. The ‘roof walks’ atop many of the Island’s homes were used to spot incoming whale ships. There are over 800 buildings and structures built before the Civil War (1861) that are still in existence. Today, the Nantucket Memorial Airport, the sight of the former television show ‘Wings’, is the second busiest commercial airport in Massachusetts after Logan International Airport in Boston.
In the late 1700’s, Sag Harbor was known as an international port with more tons of square-rigged vessels engaged in commerce than even New York City. The whaling industry was very strong through the 1840’s and the most valuable whale product was whale oil used to light lamps. At its peak, 60 whale ships were based in the village, employing 800 men. Herman Melville referenced this in Moby Dick.
The first settlers in Southampton were a small group of English Puritans from Lynn, Massachusetts that arrived in 1640. With the help of a resident Shinnecock Indian guide, these early colonists were guided over a woodland trail that is now North Sea Road to Old Town Pond to build their first homes. The Shinnecock Indian Reservation is the oldest Native American reservation in the United States.
Long Island at 118 miles long and 23 miles wide is larger than Rhode Island. Its ‘Gold Coast’ was the location of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The Long Island Railroad is the oldest railroad that still operates under its original name in the country as well as North America’s busiest commuter railroad. Montauk’s Deep Hollow Ranch opened in 1658 and is the oldest working cattle ranch in the U.S. and claims to be the birthplace of the American Cowboy.
Caricatures of dressed up animals are typical parodies found in satirical art. The animal’s expressions and outfits suggest the attitude and character they are trying to assume.
Victorians were fond of graceful and lively arabesque shapes, a welcome departure from the more rigid design styles that preceded them. These florid and energetic patterns introduced a welcomed vitality and freedom in design.
From the dainty and simple to the elegant and elaborate, women loved shoes in many different shapes, styles and colors. Silk and fine kid leather was used for dressier styles with embellishments such as buckles and bows to coordinate with the entire outfit. In the 1890’s, yellow became a popular shoe color and soon ivory satin followed. The Cuban heel, a stacked heel with a height of two and a half inches, became popular in 1904. Made from satin and silk, Boudoir shoes were the only seductive clothing that women could wear at this time.
Cross country skiing was introduced in North America in the 1850’s by immigrants from Norway and Sweden. The sport was made popular in California by ’Snowshoe Thompson’. Considered one of the most difficult endurance sports, cross country skiing uses every major muscle group and burns as many calories per hour as running, rowing and swimming.
Ice hockey was first played in North America by British soldiers stationed in Nova Scotia. In the 1870’s a group of college students at McGill University in Montreal began organizing hockey games and created a set of rules. A new set of regulations know as the ‘McGill rules’ were later enacted, a puck was substituted for a rubber ball and the number of players on a team was set at nine. In professional hockey today, a puck hit with a hockey stick can reach speeds of more than 150 miles per hour.
Cross country skiing began in Scandinavia as a way to travel through the snow covered terrain while hunting. Downhill or alpine skiing evolved from cross country skiing in the early 1700’s. It was in the Telemark area of Norway that the Telemark turn and the Christiana, now referred to as ‘Christie‘ were invented to control the skier’s speed.
Ice skating began in Finland about 4000 years ago as an energy saving strategy. Pair skaters perform single skating maneuvers in unison such as side by side jumps and spins. The male lifts the female above his head and difficult acrobatic moves are performed. The skaters’ goal is to create the impression that they are skating as one.
The first sleds were made with two or three hardwood boards. Heat or steam was used to curve one end of the boards and they were held together by wooden crossbars. A rope was then attached to the curved front of the toboggan that was pulled by humans or dog team sleds. The sled became a vehicle for indigenous tribes to move large loads over great distances.
A flexible flyer or steel run sled is a steerable wooden sled with a thin metal runner. They work best on hard packed or icy snow, but if the snow is too soft or deep, the sled’s runner will sink in and prevent the sled from moving.
Speed skating has been an important event at the winter Olympics since 1924. Primitive inhabitants glided over ice with skates made from bone and leather straps and the Netherlands was the first country where skating was a method of transportation as well as a national passion. The Dutch began speed skating on frozen canals and the sport quickly caught on across Europe. The first speed skating competition began in England in 1763 as a 15-meter race.
A sleigh ride brings to mind a delightful journey through the snow on a sled drawn by one or more graceful horses. The name ‘Sleigh Ride’ has been given to one of the most popular pieces of holiday music ever written. ‘Sleigh Ride’ has been performed and recorded by a larger number of musical artists than any other piece in the history of Western music.... The horse whinny five bars from the end is played by a trumpet and the whip cracks are made by a percussionist preferably with slapstick.
Basketball was first invented in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891 by James Naismith, a teacher at the YMCA. The first hoops were actually made of peach baskets and the first backboards were made of wire. When a team scored, the referee would have to climb up a ladder to get the ball out of the peach basket. Basketball was played with a soccer ball until 1929 and became an official Olympic event at the Summer Games in Berlin, German in 1936.
More than 80 countries offer some form of skiing and close to 40 U.S. States have ski resorts. In Europe, skiing was originally a form of transportation in the mountains before becoming a sport. Alpine skiing was first introduced to the Olympics in 1936 and Germany’s Franz Pfnur won the first men’s gold medal in the alpine combined competition.
The reindeer, also known as a caribou in North America, is one of the most extensively traveled animals. It may cover as much as 35 miles a day and its migration routes can be as much as 2,000 to 3,000 miles. The calf of a reindeer weighs 11-20 pounds, will stand on his or her legs within minutes of birth and can outrun a human at one day old.
A bellboy is commonly called a bellhop in the US and Canada and a porter in the United Kingdom. The name evolved from the idea that an employee at a hotel would ‘hop’ to attention to be of service at a hotel’s front desk when a bell was rung. Responsibilities of a bellhop typically include basic concierge work and responding to the guests’ needs. Hoping to be tipped well, the bellhop needs to be outgoing, quick witted and have a congenial personality.
It is believed that the earliest snowman dates back to medieval times. The tallest snowman, called Angus, was made in Bethel, Maine in 1999, measured 113 feet, seven inches. Nine years later in 2008, the same town constructed the tallest snowwoman standing 122 feet 1 inch.
Nutcrackers, available in the form of wooden carvings soldiers, knights or kings, date back to the 15th century. Typically, the figure has a large mouth which can be opened by lifting a lever in the back of the figurine to crack a nut. Today’s nutcrackers are usually used solely for decoration, mainly at Christmas time, and don’t have this feature. The ballet The Nutcracker derives its name from this festive holiday decoration.
Santa Claus, also known as ‘Saint Nicholas’, ‘Father Christmas’ and ‘Santa’ is a legendary figure with mythical, historical and folkloric origins. In many Western cultures, Santa Claus is said to bring gifts to the homes of good children on the night before Christmas. Typically, Santa is depicted as a portly, white bearded man with a red coat, white collar and cuffs and black boots. According to tradition, he lives in the North Pole amongst a number of magical elves who make toys and nine flying reindeer who pull his sleigh.
Vibrant red berries as an accent in home decor are a great way to add to the celebratory holiday season. Boughs from trees strung together represent everlasting life and hope for the return of spring. The green is symbolic of the continuance of life through the winter. These natural decorations are a tradition historians believe the first settlers brought with them from England.
Fall foliage is commonly called fall color or autumn color. Colors vary in different parts of the world; in New England and the northeast sections of Asia, yellow dominates. In this bouquet, mainly of Black Eyed Susans and Sunflowers, the flowers are in bloom until fall and keep their strong color and vibrancy making them perfect candidates for a dried arrangement.
Maize, known in some English-speaking countries as corn, is a large grain plant first domesticated in prehistoric times by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain the grain with seeds called kernels. Maize was first domesticated in Mexico. The word "corn" is primarily used in North American English; however, the word "maize" is chiefly used in British English.
The carved Jack O’Lantern is believed to have originated in Ireland where turnips and beets were first used instead of pumpkins. Turnip lanterns, sometimes with faces carved into them, were made on the Gaelic festival of Samhain (October 31-November 1) in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands when spirits were believed to be most active. The purpose of these lanterns was used to light one’s way while outside to protect oneself. As used today, they sometimes were set on windowsills to keep the spirits out of one’s home.
Oak Trees are one of the most common and mightiest of trees. They are a symbol of strength and endurance as well as the national tree of many countries.
Pine cones can be female or male and are actually the reproductive part of pine trees. Sugar pines create the longest pine cones which can grow to 24 inches and Coulter Pine trees produce the largest pine cones which are 8-16 inches and can weigh up to 10 pounds. Humans eat parts of the pine cone called pine nuts which are usually toasted to improve their flavor and texture.
The idea of decorating a Christmas tree began in Germany as early as 1605 when fruits and nuts were hung to replace fallen leaves. This was to symbolize the upcoming Spring season.
Glass ball ornaments referred to as ‘Baubles’ were manufactured in Germany in the 1800’s and F.W. Woolworths were the first to introduce them to the United States. Eventually, many ornament shapes were manufactured using injection molding with plastic material many of which we see today.
Ties have been an important wardrobe accessory going back as far as 210 B.C. The modern day necktie, ascot and bow tie evolved from the cravat design and a good quality silk tie today requires using approximately 110 silkworm cocoons. It has been said that the bow tie suggests a great intellect probably because it is so hard to tie. A necktie with diagonal stripes is often considered a ‘power tie’.
Badminton is the world’s fastest racket sport. In a professional match, the shuttlecock can reach up to the equivalent of 248.55 miles per hour which is higher than the speed in a tennis or squash rally. The shuttlecock is made of either plastic or feathers (goose or duck) with plastic being the simpler style used by beginners while feather shuttlecocks are preferred for professional competitions. Badminton became an Olympic sport in 1992 and to date China and Indonesia have been victorious in 70% of all of the events.
Baseball is considered the national sport of the United States and the first game was played in New York in 1845. The average life of a baseball is only 5-7 pitches. A regulation baseball has 108 double stitches or 216 stitches sewn together by hand with 88” of red waxed thread. The stitches actually affect how the ball moves toward the batter. Raised stitches increase the friction created as air passes around the ball, placing greater pressure on the top of the ball.
The bicycle is considered the most efficient vehicle ever devised; a human on a bicycle is more efficient in calories spent per pound and per mile than a train, truck, airplane, boat, car or motorcycle. Today there are about 1 billion bicycles in the world compared to half as many motorized vehicles. Close to 100 million bicycles are manufactured every year. They save over 238 million gallons of gas per year by replacing trips by car. Additionally, maintaining a bicycle annually costs twenty times less than maintaining and riding a car.
The number of people fishing and practicing aquaculture worldwide has doubled since 1970. There are more than 21 million full time fishermen and at least 200 million depend on fishing for their livelihood. Asia became the base for the fishing industry in the late 1980’s and is home to the majority of the world’s fishermen. Some of the common superstitions of fishermen are ‘if you carry a fishing pole into the house before a fishing trip, you will not catch any fish’, ‘if you play a fiddle or guitar, the fish will come to the surface because they love music’ and ‘if you talk while fishing, the fish will hear you and not bite.’
Croquet is the first known outdoor sport that allowed both men and women to play the game on an equal footing. The game was banned in Boston in 1890 because there was a concern that young couples could disappear in the bushes while looking for a lost croquet ball. In Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’, a hedgehog was used as the ball and a flamingo as the mallet. Soldiers doubled over to create the hoops.
Golf was invented in Scotland over 500 years ago. The Scots Parliament in the late 1400’s prohibited the game on Sundays because it interfered with military training for the wars against the English. Early golf balls were made of leather stuffed with feathers which were believed to make balls fly the farthest. Many Japanese golfers carry ‘hole-in-one’ insurance because if you are lucky enough to hit one, you are expected to share your good luck by throwing a party complete with gifts for all of your friends.
Hot Air Balloons are considered aircraft regulated under the same Federal Aviation Administration bylaws as any other type of aircraft. A balloon pilot can only be certified by the FAA once he or she has passed a written exam, successfully completed a number of hours of instruction and performed a solo flight as well as one to a specific altitude. Today’s hot air balloon heat the air by burning propane, the same substance commonly used in outdoor cooking grills. The optimal wind speed for balloons is 3-5 miles per hour with a maximum safe wind speed of 10 miles per hour.
Tennis originated in Great Britain and was first played as a competitive sport in the 1870’s. Wimbledon is the only major tennis tournament still played on grass. The first women to play in this tournament wore full length dresses. Balls are typically changed after 7 straight games. They are made up of a rubber core and a felt cover. Natural rubber is porous which causes tennis balls to eventually go dead.
Ikat designs have strong symbolism and their patterns in the past were representative of wealth, power and status. In many parts of the world, Ikats traditionally were used in religious ceremonies and some believed that they had magical powers. This type of ethnic pattern was originally made by dying either the horizontal or vertical thread prior to weaving. The dye would seep under the resist giving the Ikat its typical blurred edges. Centuries ago, the Ikat designs had their origins in India, Japan, Central and South America as well as Southeast Asia.
Ceramic tiles date back over 4000 years; tiles surfaces have been found in the oldest pyramids as well as in the ruins of Greek cities. Decorative tilework was invented in the near east. The earliest examples of tiles in Western Europe (late 10th century) were in England. Majolica patterns from Italy and Spain and Delft designs from Holland were very popular. Majolica tiles are known for their strong sense of color and geometric patterns often found in flooring. Delft designs were influenced by the blue and white colors found in Chinese pottery.
The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality that began with the early American colonies. New England sea captains would leave a pineapple on a fence post spear announcing to friends their safe return from the Caribbean Islands with the special cargo of fruit, spices and rum. The pineapple was an invitation to visit the sea captain, enjoy his food and drink and hear about his voyage. This tradition has continued to this day and the pineapple motif is often seen in hotels and restaurants as a sign of hospitality.
Linen / Knife edge finish
Fern green linen / Available with cording or knife edge finish
Blue Willow portrays a fascinating Chinese tale of an angry father chasing his young daughter who tries to escape with her lover, his secretary, who is a commoner. He is not allowed to see her and a fence is constructed around the gardens of the Mandarin’s estate. The young couple, though, escapes and it is believed that they are transformed into white doves flying high above the willow tree where they first pledged their love.
The importance of using a wide brim hat has been popular since the early 1900's. On a hot summer's day, this type of visor replaced the parasol which was no longer fashionable. The advantage of the wide brim hat is to shade the ears, back of the neck and much of the face.
Often associated with the Rhine region where they were given their namesake, rhinestones are crystal stones or lead crystals that are cut and made to look like jewels. Although they are not jewels, they are used to make all kinds of jewelry accessories and apparel. The rhinestone was originated by Daniel Swarovski in the 1890’s in Austria. Founder of Swarovski Crystals, he designed a new machine to cut crystals which was much more efficient than the hand cut method previously used.
Tropical fruits grown in many parts of the world and, in addition to being enjoyed as fresh fruits, some varieties are used by natives to cure many ailments. As an important ingredient of many dishes, they are used for desserts, added to curries and even used to make alcohol. They can be found on small plants, large trees and even on cactus. Often bright in color, they are rich in antioxidants.
Algae are found in both marine and freshwater bodies of water producing oxygen used by other aquatic life. Kelp is the largest type of algae and can grow to be more than 200 feet. Seaweeds and microscopic algae of the ocean account for approximately nine tenths of all the plant-like life on Earth.
Solid Linen PillowsAvailable with Knife Edge or Antique White Cording
Embellished Solid Linen PillowsAvailable with Knife Edge or Antique White Cording
