The connection between people and their animal companions is timeless. Evidence of the centuries-old bond can be seen in Feathers, Fins and Fur, a multimedium exhibit created by students at John Hopkins University on display at the Homewood House in Baltimore, opening on Thursday.
“This is an opportunity to view Homewood in a different way and imagine the nonhuman family members that trotted the halls and scratched the furniture,” said museum curator Catherine Rogers Arthur. Homewood, erected in 1801, is a National Historic Landmark built by Charles Carroll Sr., a Maryland senator who signed the Declaration of Independence.
The exhibit explores the role of cats, dogs, birds, fish, horses, chickens and cows in the 19th century. Arthur likened it to a “content footnote” to the house itself.
“We?re looking at a popular, contemporary topic through the eyes of early Americans,” said Sandra Lackovic, a senior at Johns Hopkins University majoring in behavioral biology who contributed to the show. JHU students scoured the libraries for letters, literary references, probate inventories, newspaper ads, journals, illustrations and other visual materials for the exhibit.
Students uncovered a 1792 tax in Baltimore City for $1 per dog and hefty $5 rewards for lost dogs. Students also found that during the early 1800s, pet owners began to name their animals.
“The writing of the time period demonstrates that cats were probably the most common pets because they were mouse-catchers,” said Arthur. “We found evidence of dogs eating off of utilitarian stoneware like kitchen crockery ? not dog bowls.”
Feathers, Fins and Fur is co-sponsored by the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Adoptable animals will be at the opening reception in Homewood?s original wine cellar and at the museum every other Saturday.
IF YOU GO
Feathers, Fins and Fur
» Venue: Homewood House, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore
» Time: Opening reception is 5 p.m. Thursday. Through March 31. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
» Cost: Free with item from Maryland SPCA Wishlist or $6 adults, $5 seniors, $3 students and children 6 and up, free for museum members and JHU affiliates with ID.
» More info: www.jhu.edu/hwdhouse
