THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 5, 1995 TAG: 9510040169
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: COURTLAND LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
And before Thomas Edison?
Candles, lanterns, oil lamps are on display at the Rochelle-Prince House.
The oil lamps originate from the Victorian era, go through the Gay '90s, into the early 1900s.
Those lamps, as memorabilia, are lovely to look, but in their day they were disposed of when they no longer served a purpose.
Most were thrown out but some put in attics, gathering dust until rescued by antique hunters or collectors like Christine and Walter Searcy who loaned Rochelle-Prince most of the pieces on exhibit.
Actually, many homes still use them - for decoration if not illumination or, as we all know, for lighting when the electricity conks out.
Miniature lamps are also on exhibit, some less than 12 inches high. They were used as night lamps, usually in children's rooms. They did not come with the Mickey Mouse decorations.
``Some claim that miniatures were courting lamps to be used in the parlor when the young lady of the house had a caller,'' according to Frank and Ruth Smith, in their book ``Miniature Lamps.'' ``Doubtless these beautiful lamps would add an aura of charm and romance with their dim light.
``Because of their beauty, they were often made of the finest of colored glass. These miniatures were ornaments in their own right,'' they wrote.
Thomas Edison invented the light bulb in 1879, but people did not see the light until 25 years later when electricity became readily available.
The exhibit of early lighting, continuing through December, features such items as a hanging candle lamp from the foyer of ``Charlie's Hope,'' the Urquhart Plantation near Sebrell; an early 1900s lantern that folds into a wallet-sized pack, candlesticks that are dated between 1830 and 1845 from John Barker's house, near Capron; and a glow lamp in ruby glass similar to one advertised in a 1901 Montgomery Ward catalog.
The ad reads, ``a soft light with no objectionable fumes - burns 200 hours with one filling of kerosene. Used in hospitals.''
The exhibit also features ye olde shaving lamp, complete with reflector; a milk glass night lamp, and a skater's lantern. Skate at night, it lights your way.
Find your way to the nearby Southampton Agriculture & Forestry Museum for another exhibit that will run through December - one the children will particularly enjoy.
About 100 toy tractors are on display, most of them bearing the John Deere label. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Antique lanterns are on display at the Rochelle-Prince House.
AT A GLANCE
What: Exhibit of early lighting.
When: 1 to 4 p.m. the first Wednesday and third Sunday through
December.
Where: Rochelle-Prince House, Main Street, Courtland.
Information: Call 654-6785.
What: Toy tractor exhibit.
When: 1 to 4 p.m. the first Wednesday and third Sunday through
December.
Where: Southampton Agriculture & Forestry Museum, Heritage Lane,
Courtland.
Information: Call 654-6785.
by CNB