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The historic artifacts from the colonial period continue to grow one piece at a time at the Brown Library History Center. And what better time to get them out on display for the general public than during the Fourth of July weekend, as the nation and Washington celebrate their 249th birthdays.

“It is hard to think that the City of Washington’s history goes back nearly 250 years,” said Stephen Farrell, curator of special collections at Brown Library. “So, as we sit back and reflect on where we have come as a nation and a city, we wanted to start displaying some of the magnificent colonial period artifacts.”

Farrell said the collection continues to grow as they find artifacts from dig sites around the city, which have been conducted by a detector team for the Historic Port of Washington Project, as well as donations that come in. Most notable of recent is a Bible dated 1776. “That is absolutely amazing and it gets your juices flowing when you hold something that is almost 250 years old, as it marks the anniversary of the independence of the United States and the birthday of Washington,” said Farrell. 

Other items include horse stirrups, candle holders, buttons, flintlocks from old muskets, and several books, one of which dates back to 1685 about the parliament of kings and queens in Scotland. “When touching these items, it gives one a moment of pause to reflect about who may have been touching the same items 250 years ago or longer in some cases,” said Farrell. “We are one of the very few towns or cities in our part of the state that have these types of artifacts at their disposal. We don’t know who wore these buttons, but we do know that it was someone here in Washington and that it holds a special place in our history books.”

Farrell added it is a long and tedious process to determine the age of the artifacts. “Myself and other researchers spend copious amounts of time going through handbooks, history books, and catalogues by academics,” said Farrell. “We also look at the designs, the patina on them, hand forged marks, etc., to make sure we are presenting the most accurate historic artifact possible.”

Be it an artifact from the colonial period or some other time in our past, Farrell always revels in the experience. “It is amazing to be in a profession where you are that caretaker of all of this,” said Farrell. “Every day you get to touch a piece of Washington’s history. There is a special place in my heart knowing that we are preserving a part of our history in the library for the general public to come and enjoy, and learn from.”

People are welcome to come by Brown Library to see the display, but they are asked to call in advance. More displays and presentations in the year leading up to the 250th celebration are coming.