Activity: Think like a Collector

Often when a collector begins acquiring objects, they do so with a particular theme in mind. To the Fieldings, these objects tell a story of a newly emerging middle-class in New England. They also like to think about the beauty and utility that each of these objects represent.

1. Visit the Jonathan and Karin Fielding collection online.
2. Have students make notes of the different kinds of objects in the collection. They can chart the objects by type, time period, location, or any other kind of characteristics.
3. As a group, discuss the differences and commonalities of the objects. Are there any themes? Does there seem to be any commonalities in terms of function, appearance, or historical era? Are they factory-made or hand-made? Do you find them beautiful?
4. If you had to pick one object, which do you think most demonstrates your idea of America and why? What story do the objects together tell about America? Compare student responses with this video account of the Fieldings talking about their collection. Why did they collect these objects? What themes did they see in the objects? Are they the same as the themes you saw?
5. Ask students: How does the Fielding Collection contribute to our community? How does having access to this part of early American history help us better understand what life was like at the time? How does it help us appreciate the beauty and utility of everyday life?
6. Consider the following questions:
   1. According to the Fielding Collection, what is an important part of the American story?
   2. According to this collection, what might Americans want to tell other people about themselves?
   3. According to this collection, whose stories are most important?
   4. What does the title of the exhibition, “Becoming America,” mean to you? Why do you think this is the title of the exhibition?
7. Compare the Fielding Collection to a history museum like the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington D.C., the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM, or the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, AR.