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Fairfax County Museum Collections: Recent Acquisitions A selection of historic objects received by the Fairfax County Park Authority in the past year: Click for Enlargement Silver Sugar Basin and Cream Pitcher, Circa 1796 When Elizabeth Collins married Richard Bland Lee of Sully Plantation in 1794, her father ordered "1 pair cream & sugar Basons" from a Philadelphia silversmith along with other articles of silver to grace the table of her new home. And indeed, in 1797 visitor Thomas Shippen noted that Sully was "completely equipped with every luxury." Thanks to a generous gift from the Sully Foundation, Ltd., the Park Authority acquired these two pieces, stamped with the mark of prominent Philadelphia silversmith Abner H. Reeder (1766-1841). Probably very much like those purchased for Sully, these two graceful, urn-shaped pieces were considered "in the latest fashion" during the era of the new American Republic, a style now referred to as "neo-classical." Click for Enlargement Fairfax County Fair Ribbon, 1950 Champion prize ribbons from the Four-H and Future Farmers of America were awarded to producers of the best dairy cow, horse, farm produce or needlework shown at the fair. Winners also received small monetary prizes and goods such as a halter, feed or fertilizer, or a hoe. Competitions were held in a range of classes for vegetables, flowers, canned or baked goods and needlework. For example, prizes were offered for the best buttonhole, patchwork quilt, cinnamon bun or fudge. The fair was held on the grounds of Floris School (today Frying Pan Park.) Click for Enlargement Civil War Engraving, 1895 "Confederate Position near Centreville, VA., at the Crossing of the Alexandria and Orange Railway over Bull Run Showing Confederate Encampment, Fortifications, Etc." is the caption on this engraving (originally printed in 1862) from a sketch by Civil War artist Edwin Forbes. The engraving appeared in Frank Leslie's Illustrated History of the Civil War, reprinted in 1895. Following the first Battle of Bull Run, the Confederate Army was quartered at Centreville during the winter of 1861-1862. The view is facing northwest toward Prince William County. Notice the lack of trees. The 40,000 troops camped in the area cut down most of the local woodlots for firewood, fortifications, visibility and to build winter quarters such as those pictured near the center of the image. Fortifications around Centreville built by the Confederates were considered impregnable by Union commanders in early 1862.   Click for Enlargement Friendship Quilt Block, circa 1880-1920 This is one of 30 pieced red and white blocks, each in a different quilt pattern, making up a turn-of-the-century friendship quilt. Among the signatures embroidered or inscribed in ink are the names: Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. McCorregtry, Binnie, Mary Work, BM Park, Mrs. A Steffy, and MB Work. Originally owned by Elizabeth Griffin Hanes, according to family tradition the quilt was made by a group of women in or around Harrisonburg, Virginia, although a member of the Work family is listed in the minutes of Frying Pan Church in Fairfax County. A wide red border and hand-quilting completes this once-treasured bed cover.