When you walk through the door of the Christian Sanderson Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania you feel as though you’ve been transported back in time—not just a few decades, but centuries—to a time when patriots marched in defense of a cause they fervently believed in and died for during the Revolutionary War.  Chris Sanderson lived all of his 84 years in the Chester and Montgomery county area and loved history so much, he collected a myriad of artifacts from around the world showcasing the people, places and important events which shaped our heritage.  After Chris passed away in 1966, these artifacts were cataloged and displayed in the home where he lived by his good friend Tom Thompson.  Along with famed artist Andrew Wyeth and others, Tom put together a vast assortment of Americana which Chris felt reflected our times.  These items fill both floors of the Sanderson Museum with displays providing a glimpse of how we lived, the wars we endured and events which affected us all.  Chris Sanderson came into this world on Jan. 7, 1882; Chester Arthur was president.  A man who would later become a renowned painter and his good friend, N.C. Wyeth was born that same year.  Reconstruction was ending and the nation was continuing to heal the wounds from a devastating war.  Railroads were crossing the countryside, changing the way we traveled.  Edison had patented the phonograph and the incandescent light bulb.  Chris would later tell people that he always felt he’d been ‘born into an historical family.’  Due to his friendship with the Wyeth family, Chris collected numerous paintings, sketches and prints from N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, along with works by Wyeth family relations and friends like Peter Hurd and Barclay Rubincam.  Many of these paintings reflect Chris’s appreciation for the rich history of the Brandywine Valley and are displayed throughout the museum.  https://www.dailylocal.com/2012/04/20/christian-sanderson-museum-celebrates-history/  

·        Discover the Brandywine River Museum of Art's renowned collection, featuring works by three generations of the Wyeth family, early American portraits, pastoral landscapes and elegant still life paintings.  Housed in a historic stone mill building with contemporary glass-walled additions overlooking the Brandywine River in Chadds Ford Pennsylvania, the Museum offers an extensive program of temporary exhibitions ranging from 19th century to contemporary art.  The museum sits on a 15-acre campus with scenic trails to walk, outdoor sculptures to discover, and a variety of beautiful native plants to enjoy, connecting art to the inspiring beauty of the region.  Visit the N. C. and Andrew Wyeth studios April to November or enjoy one of our music, family or art programs.  https://delawarescene.com/organization/720/brandywine-river-museum-of-art 

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The name Baranduin was Sindarin for "golden-brown river".  The hobbits of the Shire called it in their language Branda-nîn, meaning "border water", which functioned as a sort of pun.  Later, the pun Bralda-hîm, meaning "heady ale", was coined.  Brandywine is simply the English rendering of the same word, as described by Tolkien.  https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Brandywine_River   

 

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, with 1 pound (450 grams) costing between $500 and $5,000.  The reason for its high price is its labor-intensive harvesting method, which makes its production costly.  Saffron is harvested by hand from the Crocus sativus flower, commonly known as the saffron crocus.  The term “saffron” applies to the flower’s thread-like structures called stigma.  While saffron’s origin is still debated, it’s been used for nearly 4,000 yearsTrusted Source for its medicinal properties.  See more at https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/saffron    

astrognosy (uncountable)  noun

(astronomy, archaic) Knowledge of the stars, especially the fixed stars; the branch of astronomy dealing with the fixed stars. [from early 19th c.]  April 21 is the start of International Dark Sky Week in 2025.  Founded in 2003 by high school student Jennifer Barlow of Midlothian, Virginia, U.S.A., it takes place during the week of the new moon in April, and people are encouraged to turn off lights to observe the night sky without light pollution.   Wikipedia   

April 21, 2025   “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in an announcement of the death.  Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.  He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.  The death of a pope sets in motion a series of carefully orchestrated rites and rituals well before the conclave to elect his successor begins.  Eligible cardinals eventually vote for a papal successor in the Sistine Chapel.  https://apnews.com/live/pope-francis-dies-catholic-church-updates 

http://librariansmuse.blogspot.com  Issue 2930  April 21, 2025