Ridgewood October 24, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 Museum displays historic treasures collection by John Koster Ridgewood’s Schoolhouse Museum has been the site of some projects of national interest, but “The Collection” now on display celebrates some of Ridgewood’s own treasured artifacts and the cultural, social, and military history they represent. Assembled from the collection of the 1873 vintage schoolhouse that serves as Ridgewood’s local history museum, The Collection, which just went on display, focuses on how preservation, restoration, and donations can give life and depth to the names that turn up on landmarks and street signs all over Ridgewood. Just inside the door of the venerable Schoolhouse at 650 East Glen Avenue, near Route 17 South, the first tapestry on display is a dark blue comforter woven for Andrew Van Dien, who gave his name to Van Dien Avenue. “We’re not sure who the weaver is,” said Dacey Latham, secretary of the Ridgewood Historical Society. A nearby case displays a 1830s comforter that belonged to Eleanor Van Dien and was woven by David Haring, a well-known weaver from what is now Norwood whose name turns up on that borough’s roadmaps. Latham and Ridgewood Historical Society President Sheila Brogan are also extremely proud of the complete silver tea set of Ida Graydon from 1873. Ida Graydon was the mother of Samuel Graydon, whose name is attached to Ridgewood’s Graydon Park and Graydon Pool. “The family lives in California now, but they told us they thought it was time for this tea set to come home,” Latham explained. She also takes pride in an 1897 typewriter with the keys in different locations from a contemporary keyboard. The highlight of the collection is wedding dress from the 1860s that was restored to near pristine condition by Phyllis Wickham of Wyckoff. “She spent the better part of several months mending the dress and it’s incredible beautiful,” said Brogan. The bodice was not damaged after a century or more in storage, but a large part of the full skirt had to be replaced by a technique so deft that only the different ages of the silk shows where the patch was added. (continued on page 19) Sheila Brogan and Dacey Latham with an 1860’s wedding dress.