Collections
The MSV houses over 23,000 objects ranging from fine and decorative arts to archival materials. MSV Collections include the Shenandoah Valley Collection, the Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection, the R. Lee Taylor Miniatures Collection, the Gardens and Grounds Collection, Wood–Glass Family Archive, and the Glen Burnie Queer Studies Collection.
An online database allows you to search this collection while select objects from each collection are featured on the individual collection pages on this website. Please check back frequently as more objects will be added to the this section soon.
The Shenandoah Valley Collection consists of the objects acquired by the MSV since 1999. These objects include, but are not limited to, examples of Shenandoah Valley decorative art and objects relevant to the history and people of the region.
Select objects—including furniture, ceramics, fine art, folk art, metals, and textiles—from this collection are on view in the MSV galleries building in the Shenandoah Valley Gallery.
Fall-front Desk by John Shearer (Scottish-American, active 1790–1818), Frederick County, Maryland, 1808. Walnut, oak, tulip poplar. Shenandoah Valley Collection, 2013.09.1.
Watch Stand by Anthony Weis Bacher (American, 1824–1889), Frederick County, Virginia, 1853. Earthenware with lead and manganese glaze. Shenandoah Valley Collection, 2003.0007.1.
“Down in Shenandoah” by Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses (American, 1860–1961), Eagle Bridge, NY, about 1942. Oil on pressed wood. Shenandoah Valley Collection, Museum Purchase with partial funds from the Gaunt Collectors Society, 2018.04.1.
“Ice Got the Pines This A.M.” by James R. “Jim” Costello (American, b. 1944), Strasburg, Virginia, 1981. Acrylic on canvas. Shenandoah Valley Collection, 2017.07.1.
Carousel Horse attributed to James William Sheetz (American, 1851–1923), Narrow Passage Creek, Edinburg, Virginia, about 1880-1890. Yellow pine, horsehair, marbled glass. Shenandoah Valley Collection, 2007.0014.
Blanket Chest, paint decoration attributed to Johannes Spitler (American, 1774–1837), Shenandoah (now Page) County, Virginia, 1800-1805. Yellow pine, paint, iron, brass. Shenandoah Valley Collection, 2012.0001.1.
“Portrait of Alexander Davis (1837–1920)” by Charles Franklin Moss (American, 1878–1961), Winchester, Virginia, 1902. Oil on artist’s board. Shenandoah Valley Collection, Given by Alexander and Bonnie Finley in honor of Jennie James Davis, 2015.04.
Rose and Tulips Quilt, maker unknown, possibly Strasburg, Virginia, about 1880. Cotton. Shenandoah Valley Collection, 2001.0013.473.
The Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection consists of American, European, and Asian fine and decorative art that belonged to MSV benefactor Julian Wood Glass Jr. (1910–1992).
Select objects from this collection are Shenandoah Valley works that Glass inherited from his Wood and Glass ancestors. Multiple objects from the Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection are currently on view in the MSV Glen Burnie House (open April–December), in the Shenandoah Valley Gallery exhibitions 123 – I love you and Contributions: African Americans in the Shenandoah Valley, and in the Founders Gallery exhibition Across the Pond: American & British Art from the Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection.
“Elizabeth Taylor, Mrs. Charles Chaplin” by George Romney (English, 1734–1802), 1781. Oil on canvas. Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection, 0148.
Figurine of Benjamin Franklin, maker unknown, Staffordshire, England, 1800–1830. Earthenware with enamel and gilded decoration. Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection, 1054.
Pair of Beakers by Joseph Richardson Sr. (American, 1711–1784), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1775. Silver. Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection, 0786.1-2.
“Pepe #A (A Recumbent Male Nude Seen from the Back), Mallorca” by Paul Cadmus (American, 1904–1999), 1933. Pen and India ink on light brown paper. Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection, 0028.
"Henry Yelverton, Third Earl of Essex" by Sir Joshua Reynolds (English, 1723–1792), about 1758–59). Oil on canvas. Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection, 0137.
Pair of Card Tables, maker unknown, Winchester, Virginia, 1790-1805. Mahogany, black walnut, yellow pine. Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection, 1021.1-2.
Queen Charlotte’s Sofa, probably by Tatham, Bailey and Sanders, London, England, 1811–1812. Ash, oak, gilt, gesso, cotton, silk, brass. Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection, 0321.
“The Cocktail Hour” by David Mode Payne (American, 1907–1985), 1950. Gouache (opaque watercolor) on paper. Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection, 0125.
The R. Lee Taylor Miniatures Collection consists of the collection of furnished miniature houses and rooms that were assembled by and belonged to R. Lee Taylor (1924–2000), partner of MSV benefactor Julian Wood Glass Jr. from the late 1940s until the couple separated in the mid-1970s. The collection includes examples by some of the best miniatures artisans of Taylor’s era.
These fascinating miniature houses and rooms are on view in the MSV R. Lee Taylor Miniatures Gallery. Additionally, a collection of room boxes assembled by William Protzman Massey, Sr. (1879-1958) is on display in the miniatures gallery.
Considered by some to be the most significant miniature in Taylor’s collection—a fully furnished miniature of the MSV’s Glen Burnie House—is on display in the house that inspired it.
The Lee Hall Miniature is the centerpiece of the MSV R. Lee Taylor Miniatures Gallery.
A side view of Lee Hall in the R. Lee Taylor Miniatures Gallery.
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
The Townhouse Miniature in the MSV R. Lee Taylor Miniatures Gallery.
The Drawing Room in the Glen Burnie House Miniature.
R. Lee Taylor (1924 –2000) with the Glen Burnie Miniature in the late 1990s.
The Library in the Glen Burnie House Miniature.
The Gardens and Grounds Collection consists of garden statuary and objects displayed in the Glen Burnie Gardens and on the MSV grounds, including objects in Kathie’s Spring Garden and on the MSV Trails.
Figure of a Woman, maker unknown, European (possibly English), nineteenth century. Coade stone. Gardens and Grounds Collection, 1427.
“Friends in High Places” by Mark Hopkins, Loveland, Colorado, 2017. Cast bronze. Gardens and Grounds Collection, Acquired for the MSV by Rupert Werner in memory of his wife Kathryn Perry Werner, 2017.06.1.
“My Friend Red (Compa Rojo) by Alejandro Martin Moreno Alonso (alias Otto, Mexican–American, b. 2000), 2019. Stainless steel (type 304), ceramic automotive paint. Gardens and Ground Collections, Museum purchase with funds from Carolyn and Allan Paterson and the Kuntz Foundation, 2020.04.
The Wood–Glass Family Archive consists of books, papers, documents, photographs, and letters related to the Wood and Glass families of Winchester, Virginia, including those of MSV benefactor Julian Wood Glass Jr. (1910–1992).
The Col. William Wood Glass Family at Glen Burnie, about 1895. Photographer unknown. Wood-Glass Family Archive.
Left to right: R. Lee Taylor (1924–2000) and MSV benefactor Julian Wood Glass Jr. around 1960. Photographer unknown. Wood–Glass Family Archive.
Front cover of the 1967 edition of the Guild Guide. Wood-Glass Family Papers.
The Glen Burnie Queer Studies Collection consists of the everyday, material life objects owned by Julian Wood Glass Jr. (1910–1992) and R. Lee Taylor (1924–2000) dating to their occupancy of Glen Burnie, including objects that speak to their time as a gay couple. It also contains select objects owned by the group of friends and immediate family that supported them. Several objects from the Glen Burnie Queer Studies Collection are currently on view in the exhibition 123 – I love you in the Museum’s Shenandoah Valley Gallery.
Colonial Gentleman’s Costume worn by R. Lee Taylor (American, 1924–2000), Winchester, Virginia, about 1976. Mixed media. Glen Burnie Queer Studies Collection, 2021.16.a-c.
Wig worn by R. Lee Taylor (American, 1924–2000), Winchester, Virginia, about 1976. Mixed media. Glen Burnie Queer Studies Collection, 2021.16.d.
Christmas Tree Ornament attributed to R. Lee Taylor (American, 1924–2000), Winchester, Virginia, likely 1970s or 1980s. Mixed media. Glen Burnie Queer Studies Collection, 2019.26.29.
Easter Egg attributed to R. Lee Taylor (American, 1924–2000), Winchester, Virginia, likely 1970s or 1980s. Mixed media. Glen Burnie Queer Studies Collection, 2019.28.9.
The MSV houses over 15,000 objects ranging from fine and decorative arts to archival materials. Click below to access the MSV collections database and explore different areas of the MSV permanent collection, including new additions like the Wood-Glass Family Archive and the Glen Burnie Queer Studies Collection.
Objects in the collections are still being researched and photographed and as a result we will continue to revise and improve the online database. We strive to publish accurate information even when our object files contain only partial or incomplete data. To request an image or arrange a research visit, please email npowers@themsv.org.
The online research database was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Grant Number MA-31-17-0181-17.