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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, January 1966-May 1973

ARCH.2003.36, Rendition: 805249

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This image shows a page from the Concord, Mass. Journal, dated October 5, 1967. The main article is titled:

Rediscover Ancient Mosaics Stored in Old Lincoln Barn

The article, written by Sareen Gerson, recounts the rediscovery of ancient Roman mosaics that had been stored for decades in an old barn in Lincoln, Massachusetts. The story begins with a visit by the Lincoln Police Chief, Jerry Kelliber, to the home of Milton Worthy, who was trying to figure out what to do with a shipment of ancient mosaics from Antioch, Syria, that had been stored in his barn since 1941.

The mosaics were discovered in 1932–1939 in Antioch and were excavated by an international committee led by Harvard’s Dumbarton Oaks Research Library. Princeton University headed the committee, and the mosaics were originally destined for museums like the Worcester Art Museum and the National Museum of France.

The Fogg Museum of Harvard University, which had originally commissioned the mosaics for teaching purposes, decided that the mosaics were too valuable to remain in storage. They hired experts, including Professor W. A. Campbell of Wellesley College, to supervise their removal and restoration.

The article includes two illustrations:

  1. A photograph of the back of the 18th-century Captain Daniel Dean house on Concord Road, Lincoln, Mass. — the barn where the mosaics were stored.
  2. A large reproduction of one of the mosaics, titled “The Sea-Goddess, Tethys,” which decorated a second-century pool in Antioch. The mosaic depicts Tethys, crowned with dove’s wings, seated on a sea monster, surrounded by fish, dolphins, and polyps. The caption notes the mosaic’s use of vibrant glass tiles ranging from dark red to blue-green, with silver, violet, and very dark purple glass. Over her shoulder is a brown and yellow rudder, symbolizing ships.

The article notes that the mosaics were transported in 15 crates, weighing about 93,000 pounds, and were stored in the barn for decades due to lack of space and funding for their display.

A library or archive stamp at the top left indicates the item is from the New England Newsfile with a weekly circulation of 4,200.

The article continues on page 2A (indicated by a red “Continued on Page 2A” notation and arrow).

In summary, this is a journalistic piece documenting the rediscovery and planned restoration of historically significant ancient Roman mosaics found in an unassuming Massachusetts barn — a surprising treasure hidden in plain sight for over 25 years.

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This is an image of a newspaper clipping from The Concord Journal, dated October 5, 1967. The article is titled "Rediscover Ancient Mosaics Stored in Old Lincoln Barn," written by Sareen Gerson. It discusses the rediscovery of ancient mosaics from Antioch, Syria, that had been stored in a barn in Lincoln, Massachusetts, since 1941.

The article includes a photograph of the barn, which is described as an 18th-century structure. The text mentions that the mosaics were part of a shipment received by the Fogg Museum in the early 1930s and were later stored in the barn due to lack of suitable space at the museum.

The article also includes a detailed description of one of the mosaics, which depicts the Sea-Goddess Tethys. The mosaic is described as being a second-century piece that once decorated a pool in Antioch, Syria. It is noted that the mosaics are made of tesserae of glass, marble, and limestone and are rich in color.

The article provides information about the excavations of the mosaics, which were conducted by the University of Harvard's Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and supported by Harvard University, Princeton University, the Worcester Art Museum, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the National Museums of France.

The article suggests that the mosaics were stored in the barn due to cost and space issues, and that the Fogg Museum plans to reconstruct them for teaching purposes rather than public display. The article concludes that one of the mosaics was found in Selecucia, the ancient port of Antioch, by an Armenian landowner named Hana Kburuslians.

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This image shows a newspaper clipping from a publication dated October 5, 1967, titled "Rediscover Ancient Mosaics Stored in Old Lincoln Barn." The article, written by Sareen Gerson, discusses the discovery and storage of ancient mosaics from Antioch, Syria, in an 18th-century barn located in Lincoln, Massachusetts. The mosaics were originally discovered between 1932 and 1939 during excavations in Antioch and were stored in the barn for lack of space at the Fogg Museum.

The article includes two images:

  1. A photograph of the 18th-century barn, which is described as having a cement floor and being located on Concord Road in Lincoln.
  2. A black-and-white illustration of one of the mosaics, depicting the sea-goddess Tethys. The mosaic features a central portrait of Tethys surrounded by various sea creatures and symbols, including doves, fish, dolphins, and a rudder.

The article mentions the involvement of several institutions, including the Fogg Museum, Harvard University, Princeton University, and others, in the discovery and preservation of the mosaics. It also notes that the mosaics were primarily for teaching purposes rather than public display due to the high costs and limited space. The mosaics were eventually moved to Quincy, where they were stored until the barn was sold. The new owners, Dr. and Mrs. William Murphy, were pleased to find the mosaics and agreed to continue storing them.

The article is continued on page 2A of the newspaper.

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The image depicts a newspaper clipping featuring an article about the rediscovery of ancient mosaics stored in an old barn in Lincoln, Massachusetts. The clipping is placed on top of a beige-colored folder. The newspaper clipping includes a headline, an image, and several paragraphs of text. The headline reads "Rediscover Ancient Mosaics Stored in Old Lincoln Barn." The image shows a mosaic of a human face with intricate designs and patterns. The text describes the discovery of the mosaics, which were stored in a barn for decades before being rediscovered. The article provides details about the mosaics, their origin, and their historical significance. The clipping is placed on top of a beige-colored folder, which appears to be a file or document holder. The folder has a rectangular shape with rounded edges and a small tab on the top left corner. The folder's surface is smooth and has a slightly glossy appearance.

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A newspaper article about ancient mosaics stored in an old Lincoln barn is open on a page. The article is titled "Rediscover Ancient Mosaics Stored in Old Lincoln Barn." The article includes a drawing of a mosaic with a human face. The article discusses the discovery of ancient mosaics in an old barn in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and the efforts to preserve and study them.

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The image depicts a page from a newspaper or magazine article titled "Rediscover Ancient Mosaics Stored in Old Lincoln Barn". The article is from the Concord Journal, dated October 5, 1967, and is located in Concord, Massachusetts. The text discusses the rediscovery of ancient mosaics stored in a historic barn, which was originally used as a dairy barn and later repurposed for storage.

Key Elements in the Image:

Left Side (Text Content):

  • Headline: "Rediscover Ancient Mosaics Stored in Old Lincoln Barn."
  • Byline: The article is written by Sareen Gerson.
  • Details:
    • The barn, located in Lincoln, Massachusetts, was used as a dairy barn and later as a storage space.
    • The mosaics, originating from Antioch in Syria, were discovered in the barn and are now being studied and preserved.
    • The mosaics were part of a collection that includes over 1,000 pieces, some dating back to the second century A.D.
    • The article mentions the involvement of Harvard University and the Fogg Art Museum in the preservation and study of these artifacts.
    • The mosaics were originally part of a bathhouse in Antioch and were transported to the barn for storage.

Right Side (Illustration):

  • Mosaic Illustration:
    • The illustration shows a detailed mosaic depicting Tethys, the Sea Goddess, surrounded by sea creatures such as dolphins, fish, and other marine life.
    • The mosaic is described as being from a second-century pool in Antioch, Syria, and is noted for its intricate design and vibrant colors.
    • The mosaic features a central figure of Tethys, with her arms outstretched and surrounded by sea motifs, including fish, dolphins, and possibly other aquatic elements.
    • The illustration is credited to the Fogg Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Additional Text:

  • The article provides context about the discovery and preservation of the mosaics, mentioning their historical significance and the efforts to study and display them.
  • It also references the International Committee for the Preservation of the Monuments of Syria, highlighting the collaborative efforts in preserving these artifacts.
  • The article notes that the mosaics were originally part of a bathhouse in Antioch and were later moved to the barn for storage.

Overall Context:

The image combines a written article and an illustrative depiction of one of the rediscovered mosaics. The article emphasizes the historical and archaeological importance of the mosaics, their journey from Antioch to Lincoln, and the efforts to preserve and study these ancient artifacts. The illustration provides a visual representation of one of the mosaics, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship and artistic detail of the ancient artisans.

This page serves as a historical record of the rediscovery and preservation of these significant artifacts.

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This image shows a newspaper clipping with the title "Rediscover Ancient Mosaics Stored in Old Lincoln Barn." It is part of an archival collection and includes both text and images discussing the historical discovery and storage of ancient mosaics in a barn in Lincoln, Massachusetts.

Key Elements:

  1. Heading and Content:

    • The article highlights the rediscovery of ancient mosaics from Antioch, Syria, stored in a barn associated with the historic Captain Daniel Dean House. It describes the barn's use for storing the artifacts since their arrival in the United States in 1944.
  2. Image of Mosaics:

    • On the right side, there is a photograph or drawing of a mosaic featuring intricate designs, including floral patterns and a central human figure, labeled as "The Sea-Goddess Tetys."
  3. Historic Barn:

    • A black-and-white photograph of the barn is included on the left side of the article. It shows a New England-style structure, surrounded by trees and grass.
  4. Text Content:

    • The article covers how the mosaics were stored, their historical value, and their connection to Fogg Museum at Harvard University. It also discusses preservation efforts, their artistic details, and origin in ancient civilizations.

The clipping appears to preserve both textual and visual references, documenting efforts to protect cultural heritage. A stamp at the top indicates the publication date as October 6, 1967.

OpenAI, gpt-4

This image features a snippet of a newspaper page, dated October 5, 1967, with the headline "Rediscover Ancient Mosaics Stored in Old Lincoln Barn." The article includes a photograph of an 18th-century barn and an illustration or image of a mosaic piece, possibly of Roman origin. Various sections of text describe the contents of the article, which revolve around the rediscovery of ancient mosaics and potentially relate to historical or archaeological findings in the area of Lincoln. To the left of the page is an open brown notebook, providing a contrasting backdrop to the aged newspaper clipping. There is also a smaller tag in the top left corner with the date and a possible catalog or reference number and the mark "JOURNAL MISS" indicating the source of the newspaper clipping. The page is placed on a flat surface, likely part of a larger display or archival compilation process.

OpenAI, gpt-4.1-mini-2025-04-14

The image shows an old newspaper clipping titled "Rediscover Ancient Mosaics Stored in Old Lincoln Barn" by Sareen Gerson. The article discusses the discovery of ancient mosaics stored in a barn in Lincoln, Massachusetts. According to the text, a big barn connected to Mr. Coolidge and Milton Worthley contained ancient mosaics from Antioch, Syria, hidden away and discovered later through the efforts of individuals including Jerry Kelliher, the Lincoln Police Chief.

The article explains that these mosaics came from the Fogg Museum at Harvard University, where they had been kept in large crates stored in the barn since 1934. The crates reportedly contain mosaic floor pieces from the ancient city of Antioch, which were studied by various experts including those from Princeton University and Fogg Museum.

There is a notable black and white photograph on the right side of the article showing an octagonal sea-goddess mosaic, featuring the figure Tethys surrounded by marine animals. The caption mentions that this mosaic was originally a floor tile from Antioch, noted for its vivid colors and intricate design.

Additionally, there is a small photograph on the left side showing the exterior of the 18th-century barn where the mosaics were discovered. The overall tone of the article is one of excitement about the rediscovery of these important ancient artifacts and the prospect of further study. The clipping is dated October 5, 1967, from the Journal in Concord, Massachusetts.

OpenAI, gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07

This is a scrapbook-style page with a clipped newspaper article pasted onto an older brown sheet. The headline reads: “Rediscover Ancient Mosaics Stored in Old Lincoln Barn.” The byline appears to be Sareen Gerson. The article describes ancient mosaics found in an old barn (referred to as the Lincoln barn) and mentions the Fogg Museum, Harvard University, and other details about the discovery.

On the right side of the clipping is a large black-and-white image of a mosaic. The mosaic appears to be octagonal with a central figure (described in the caption as Sea-Goddess Tethys) surrounded by various decorative elements and figures. Below the article text is a small photograph of the barn exterior.

Overall, it’s a vintage, sepia-toned newspaper clipping about rediscovered ancient mosaics, accompanied by images of the mosaics and the barn.