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Go to my website to see my current projects including a number of new publications!

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Michael

 

 

HAPPY TENTH ANNIVERSARY MICHAEL'S MUSEUM

 While this BLOG is inactive, we do post now and then. Also, there are many wonderful stories and photographs to see if you scroll back through them.

This post is to note that 2021 celebrates the TENTH anniversary of Michael's Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures at Chicago Children's Museum. The museum has been closed for a while due to COVID but is planning on opening soon. Check their website for up-to-date information.

Also, check http://www.michaelsmuseum.org

Even though thre Michael's Museum BLOG is inactive, it has been getting a lot of hits. I assume it is because more people are home and because Chicago Children's Museum is closed during the COVID 19 times. Even though inactive, there are many fun things to scroll back through. Also check out my Michael's Museum site: http://www.michaelsmuseum.org

Meanwhile, I am sending everyone out there love and all things small.

Happy Kwanza

Happy New Year

Merry Christmas

Happy Hanukkah

Hello and thanks to all who continue to visit this BLOG. As you can see, I do not post regularly or even frequently but there are a lot of wonderful archive photos and entries to scroll back through. You can also visit: 
https://www.facebook.com/MichaelsMuseum/
and http://www.michaelsmuseum.org

(Both open in a new window!)

Thanks For Visiting!

Hello and thanks to all who continue to visit this BLOG. As you can see, I do not post regularly or even frequently but there are a lot of wonderful archive photos and entries to scroll back through. You can also visit: 
https://www.facebook.com/MichaelsMuseum/
and http://www.michaelsmuseum.org
(Both open in a new window!)

Miniatures From Thread and Embroidery Hoops

Even though the page is not active, I still receive feedback from visitors and LIKE's, so Thank You for visiting. There is a wealth of information and photos here to look through and you can also visit http://www.michaelsmusuem.org

Every now and then I find something "miniature" of interest and will post: 

https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2019/01/miniature-embroideries-by-ipnot/ (opens in a new window)

December 2017

Greetings as we approach Christmas 2017. I rarely post here but wanted to wish my followers Happy and Merry. Even though the page is not active, I still receive feedback from visitors and LIKE's, so Thank You for visiting. There is a wealth of information and photos here to look through and you can also visit http://www.michaelsmusuem.org

Pictured is the "Z Scale" train set which is new this year on my desk. 

Pictured is a Victorian Style Christmas Tree which is also new this year.

Happy Fifth Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Michael's Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures is celebrating its FIFTH birthday during May 2016.

P.S. I am pleased that so many people visit this site even though I do not update regularly. There are, however, many wonderful stories and photos to see, so scroll back through time and enjoy!

Happy Anniversary

P.S. I am pleased that so many people visit this site even though I do not update regularly. There are, however, many wonderful stories and photos to see, so enjoy!

Nine years ago, on April 1, 2007; an article appeared in the Q-Section of the Chicago Tribune, written by Barbara Mahany. It began a landslide process of love. with the support of Amethel Parel-Sewell, Louise Belmont Skinner, Barbara Unikel, Jennifer Farrington, and Gregory Maire which led to “Michael’s Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures” which in May, 2011 became a beloved, permanent exhibit at the Chicago Children’s Museum on Navy Pier. Happy April Fools Day! Happy Michael’s Museum! Happy Anniversary!

Merry Christmas 2015

Wishing all my Michael's Museum blog friends a Joyous Christmas. Even though we no longer post here regularly, scroll back through the blog to see lovely little photographs of the collections and to read interesting stories about how Michael's Museum arrived at Chicago Children's Museum on Navy Pier in May 2011.

4th ANNIVERSARY of MM @ CCM!

Michael’s Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures is celebrating its 4th birthday during May! Happy Anniversary.

Fondly

Michael

P.S. I am pleased that so many people visit this site even though I do not update regularly. There are, however, many wonderful stories and photos to see, so enjoy!

A Post Every Now and Then

Can't resist posting small things every now and then:

Miniature Space is a special kitchen in Japan that does all of its cooking in tiny toy kitchens, creating real, edible meals that fit in the palm of your hand. Their latest masterpiece? A tiny strawberry cake.

The best part is that they use miniature tools in the kitchen, too – miniature knives to cut slices of strawberry, miniature tongs, and a miniature spatula to spread the frosting.

http://www.boredpanda.com/tiny-cakes-toy-kitchen-miniature-space/

Cooper Hewitt

Every now and then I find something interesting about miniatures to post like this "Cooper Hewitt Object of the Day."

I am pleased that so many people visit this site even though I do not update regularly. There are, however, many wonderful stories and photos to see, so enjoy!

Big on Miniature By Cynthia Trope on Feb 17, 2015 10:05 am Seventeenth-century Dutch socialites Petronella de la Court and Petronella Oortman, the dauphin of France, Queen Victoria, and Queen Mary had them: dollhouses and miniature replicas of masterworks of furniture and decorative arts, through which they could recreate their larger-than-life existence.  The popularity of these Lilliputian marvels extended well into the twentieth century, when doll-sized houses, shops, farms – and even Noah’s ark, filled the pages of toy catalogs. These were usually made of carved and painted wood, and decorated with brass, steel, porcelain, amongst other materials. Often exact replicas of their life-sized counterparts, they provide unique insight into the social and material culture of the period: what did a typical nursery contain? How did a family live and interact together in the home?  More than mere toys, dollhouses were used to teach little girls about household management. This nineteenth-century miniature “Grocery Stores” (in the nineteenth century the word “stores” referred to goods that were stored) is made of painted and carved wood; the sides of the model rotate open to provide complete access to the interior, which tells us that the object was likely intended to be manipulated during play.  Complete with sixteen functional drawers labelled for almonds, cacao, cinnamon, cloves, and other exotic spices and ingredients, this toy shop would likely have served as an introduction into the world of commerce for a young boy. Catherine Powell is a graduate student in the History of Design and Curatorial Studies program at the Cooper Hewitt, and is a Fellow in the Product Design and Decorative Arts Department.

Happy

Happy Thanksgiving 2014

Every now and then I like to post. I am pleased that so many people visit this site even though I do not update regularly. There are, however, many wonderful stories and photos to see, so enjoy!

COMING SOON: Michael's Flea Circus: The Greatest Small Show on Earth

Sometimes I just have to post:

A new old time, greatest small idea has been itching in my head ... 

Michael's Flea Circus! 

I have been enthused with the idea of Flea Circuses for over thirty years and finally have begun producing one of my own.

The circus will have singing, dancing, and performing fleas; as well as slight of hand (magic,) and audience participation to entertain, enchant, and entice you!

Madam Midge and Madam Madge will walk the high wire carrying a carefully balanced, balance beam, Monsieur Marvin will jump off the high, high dive into a small pool of water. Monsieur Mervin will fly on the flying trapeze. 

The Flea Circus will also feature Strong Man Sam who will be shot from a cannon and Strong Woman Samantha who will carry a boulder across the center ring on her shoulder. 

Since this One Ring Circus is a small operation, the fleas will also double as grounds keepers, ticket takers, refreshment booth operators, and gift shop cashiers.

The price of admission will be one thin dime or a contribution of your choice to The Lieberman Center Memory Care Facility in Skokie, Illinois. 

Come one, come all! Ladies and Gentlement: Be Amazed, Be Amused, Be Astounded. Feel the Magic. Experience the Joy. Michael's Flea Circus, coming soon to a town near you!

• • •

Hi and thanks for visiting this BLOG. Although it is usually no longer active, Michael's Museum: A Curious Collection of Small Treasures is still one of the wonderful permanent exhibits at Chicago Children's Museum on Navy Pier. On this BLOG, you will find many wonderful stories and photographs here as you seek to see more and learn more about Michael's Museum: A Curious Collections of Tiny Treasures.

For more, also visit the Michael's Museum Web Site. CLICK HERE http://www.michaelsmuseum.org

If you want to own part of MM, you can go on www.lulu.com and purchase "The Story of Michael's Museum." CLICK HERE to go to "lulu" to see and/or purchase it.

Thanks for visiting,
Michael

Sometimes ... Post Cards for Ants

Sometimes I just have to post: 

(Post Cards For Ants)

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/09/postcards-for-ants-a-365-day-miniature-painting-project-by-lorraine-loots/

Hi and thanks for visiting this BLOG. Although it is no longer active, you will find many wonderful stories and photographs here as you seek to see more and learn more about Michael's Museum: A Curious Collections of Tiny Treasures.

For more, also visit the Michael's Museum Web Site. CLICK HERE http://www.michaelsmuseum.org

If you want to own part of MM, you can go on www.lulu.com and purchase "The Story of Michael's Museum." CLICK HERE to go to "lulu" to see and/or purchase it.

Thanks for visiting,
Michael

Mel's Mini Mini Mart

Sometimes I just HAVE to post:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtZlHSy5HDM

Every Now and Then

Hi. Every now and then I do post something new to this website having to do with Tiny Treasures. Here is one for you to check out:

http://www.messynessychic.com/category/inspiration-vault/teeny-tiny-stuff/

• • •

Hi and thanks for visiting this BLOG. Although it is no longer active, you will find many wonderful stories and photographs here as you seek to see more and learn more about Michael's Museum: A Curious Collections of Tiny Treasures.

For more, also visit the Michael's Museum Web Site. CLICK HERE http://www.michaelsmuseum.org



If you really want to own part of MM, you can go on www.lulu.com and purchase "The Story of Michael's Museum." CLICK HERE to go to "lulu" to see and/or purchase it.

Thanks for visiting,
Michael

Winter is Almost Over

Hi and thanks for visiting this BLOG. Although it is no longer active, you will find many wonderful stories and photographs here as you seek to see more and learn more about Michael's Museum: A Curious Collections of Tiny Treasures.

For more, also visit the Michael's Museum Web Site. CLICK HERE http://www.michaelsmuseum.org

If you really want to own part of MM, you can go on www.lulu.com and purchase "The Story of Michael's Museum." CLICK HERE to go to "lulu" to see and/or purchase it.

Thanks for visiting,
Michael

Merry Christmas

While this BLOG is inactive, I do like to say HI! now and then.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Michael sure does look a lot like Santa!

Thanks Viewers Like You

Even though this site has been inactive (but chock full of interesting posts and pixs) we have reached 11,100 hits! Thanks for tuning in.

Happy Holidays

A Belated Thank You

AFTER READING THIS ENTRY,

BE SURE TO BROWSE BACK

TO SEE ALL KINDS OF INTERESTING

PHOTOGRAPHS AND POSTS.

While I have not been posting to this BLOG, we still get 5 to 15 hits a day. We are currently at 8500 hits and counting since 2010. People come to this place to see photos and read the stories of Michael's Museum and how it came to be.

I continue to be grateful to the people at Chicago Children's Museum for helping me to bring the joys of collecting and the magic of the Tiny Treasures that are Michael's Museum to the families and friends and children and visitors of the Chicago Land Area.

Over the years I have thanked many people for their involvement in helping Michael's Museum come to be. There is embarrassingly one person who deserves a HUGE thank you which I have not delivered. Until now. I just realized that he is probably in line for having deserved the FIRST thank you!

My dear friend Roger Zanchetti (who I have known for over 30 years) was helping out with a garage sale at our home back in 2007. When Barbara Mahany and Blair Kamen walked in, Roger recognized them right away. At the time Blair was the Architecture Critic for the Chicago Tribune and Barbara (they are a husband and wife) wrote about interesting, unusual things around Chicago in the Sunday Q Secion of that paper.

Because of Roger's making us aware of who these people were, we approached them and introduced ourselves. Blair recognized Gregory and his architecture work around the city.  They admitted that they did not really come to the garage sale but were very interested in our loft building which held Gregory's architecture firm on the first floor (now retired,) and our home on the second and third level. 

The third level guest room also housed "Michael's Museum" which held my collections in the room designed for me by Gregory. Barbara fell in love with the space and within a few months she and I had set up a number of meetings in which she visited the museum, interviewed me about collecting, and wrote a wonderful article which appeared in the newspaper on APRIL FOOL'S DAY, 2007.

That article began the chain of events that eventually led to the opening, as a permanent exhibit, of Michael's Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures in May 2010. The exhibit has since become a favorite of visitors to Chicago Children's Museum and Navy Pier.

If it wasn't for Roger having been at our garage sale (besides the wonderful help he gave us) most likely MM@CCM would never have happened.

T H A N K   Y O U   R O G E R!

Two Years Ago

My Opening Day Ceremonies Address

I retired from education fifteen years ago after thirty years of teaching. I thought I was finished with children. Well, guess what? I am back ... and I am excited to be back.

When asked if Michael’s Museum ... being part of Chicago Children’s Museum ... has met my expectations ... I honestly cannot answer ... for the simple reason that  I never EXPECTED this to happen. 

I just like to collect small things. While I have been a collector for most of my life, the collections you will see here today have been assembled in earnest over the last 30 or so years.

If I HAD expected all of this to happen, I would have to say that the expectations have been MORE than met by the staff of CCM in such an amazing, wonderful, professional, dedicated, and talented way.

At times like this, it is customary to thank all the

people who have helped make something possible . . . Here is my CHRONOLOGY OF THANK YOU’S.

• • •

First, I would like to thank my parents, wishing they were still with us to witness this day. It seems particularly important to recognize my mom and dad on this occasion, as Michael’s Museum owes itself in part, to them ... They raised me to become the best person I could be ... but also encouraged me to hold on to the child within ...  still approximately 9 years old. 

Second, I am sorry that my sister and brother-in-law are not able to be here to experience this joy with me but look forward to next month when they will be able to get here.

Next, I would like to acknowledge and thank the following people and briefly tell you their role in bringing Michael’s Museum to Chicago Children’s Museum. 

When I mention your name, please stand and remain standing.

Gregory, my life partner of over 35 years, who knowing my penchant for collecting, one day suggested that I collect only small things. Little did he know that it would come to this. 

As an architect, he created a space in the guest room of our previous home, dedicated to my collecting. The space became known to family, neighbors, and friends as Michael’s Museum. The original Michael’s Museum.

Amethel Parel Sewell, friend and Editor of the award winning Brilliant Star Children’s Magazine, first helped me to realize that Michael’s Museum could aspire to greater things.  

A special thank you to Susan Tillett director of The Ragdale Foundation, in Lake Forest, Illinois, where last year I was awarded a residency in non-fiction writing and to whom I give credit for first giving me the confidence to call myself a writer, a poet, a photographer.

Barbara Mahany, features writer for The Chicago Tribune was so excited when she saw Michael’s Museum that she devoted an entire “Q” Section article to it. The article appeared in the Chicago Tribune on April Fools Day 2007. It was reviewed again in her recap at year’s end.

Barbara Unikel, my long time, dear friend and fellow educator ... previous Vice President of Education at The Chicago Children’s Museum ... introduced me to Jennifer Farrington.

Jennifer Farrington, then Vice President of Education at CCM, now CEO, in turn introduced me to Louise Belmont-Skinner ... Vice President of Exhibits.

Louise and her then assistant, Sheila Scullin, not only fell in love at first sight with my collections, but together with Jennifer Farrington made the commitment to bring Michael’s Museum to Chicago Children’s Museum.

Jennifer and Louise have remained my greatest admirers, supporters, and champions. 

I like to call Gregory, Barbara, Barbara, Jennifer, and Louise my puzzle piece collection. Without any one of them this puzzle called Michel’s Museum at CCM would not have happened.

The Officers and Board Members ... and Management Team of Chicago Children’s Museum ... have given Michael’s Museum their outstanding support. 

Jenny Schrider has been involved with this project since 2007 as confidant and designer of the Michael’s Museum Exhibit space.

The Michael’s Museum Core and Extended Teams . . .  fifteen people in all . . . since October have taken Michael’s Museum to heights that I never dreamed possible ... and which you will get to experience in a short while.

Thank You Michael’s Museum Team Members for all you have done. 

Katie Slivovsky- Exhibit Developer

Michele Boglio - Project Manager

Natalie Bortoli - Education Developer

Louise Belmont-Skinner - VP of Exhibits

Jenny Schrider - Designer

Ben Waite - Visitor Advocate

Mark Frank - Lead Preparator

Patrick Downs - Assistant Preparator

Rick Cassettari - Support Preparator

Peter Williams - Associate VP of Exhibit and Building Operations

Jennifer Joyce - VP of Marketing

Natalie Kreiger - Director of Public Relations

Stephanie Lieber - VP of Individual Giving

Jon Resh - Artistic Director

Ellen Sanderson - Graphics Designer

Brett Taylor - Special Projects Coordinator for the Office of the President 

and Jasmine Raehl - Manager of the Gift Shop.

Everyone working at CCM always make me feel welcome  ...  if not like a celebrity ...  every time I arrive for a meeting or visit. Please stand.

Family and friends have joined today’s celebrations and many have traveled from out of state to join us. I would like them to stand.

Everyone who is a MEMBER of this wonderful place called Chicago Children’s Museum, show yourselves.

Everyone who has EVER collected, STILL collects, or PLANS to collect . . . whether tiny treasures like I do . . . or larger things like like ideas, experiences, memories,  photographs, books, and more please join us in standing.

• • • 

To everyone standing ...  I THANK YOU ...  for helping make this day possible.  Look around at all of these wonderful people and give yourselves a big round of applause.

• • •

In closing ... I am grateful and honored on this ... the occasion of the opening of Michael’s Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures ... at Chicago Children’s Museum ... a world class children’s museum ... with a world class staff ... in a world class city. 

Ladies, Gentlemen, and Children of all ages, step right up ... be amused, be amazed, be astounded ... feel the magic ... experience the joy ... that is ... Michael’s Museum at Chicago Children’s Museum.

Thank you.

Two Years Old

Congratulations Michael's Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures on your second anniversary as a permanent exhibit at Chicago Children's Museum. May 2011 to May 2013.

From the Curator's Desk

   

   

   As promised, we have shown you a collection a day covering our 105 Curious Collections of Tiny Treasures and now our showing is complete. Be sure to scroll back through the blog to visit previous posts.

    With this completion we would like to announce that:

    As of November 1, 2012, Michael will retire from being Curator-in-Residence and become Curator Emeritus (emeritus |iˈmerətəs| adjective | of the former holder of an office having retired but allowed to retain their title as an honor.) 

    The wonderful collection of collections called Michael's Museum will carry on as a permanent exhibit at Chicago Children's Museum. The only differences are that Michael will no longer be spending regularly scheduled time in the exhibit and the collections will not only be owned by Chicago Children's Museum but also under their complete care.

    This BLOG michaelcollects.blogspot.com and the MM SITE http://www.michaelsmuseum.org will NOT be updated actively and will become reference only. You can still visit the BLOG and SITE to see photographs and read about the history and creation of this new "Wonder of the Windy City, Chicago's own Michael's Museum." 

    If you would like to get in touch with Michael, feel free to e-mail him at info@michaelsmuseum.org

Here is a brief note from Michael to all of Michael's Museum's family, friends, and fans,

Since my first introduction to Jennifer Farrington, Louise Belmont-Skinner, and Shelia Scullin and with special mention of my work with Jenny Schrider since May of 2007, it has been a great ride. I take joy in knowing that my collections are in CCM’s good hands. I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to be part of the planning, design, and installation process of Michael’s Museum and to have had the opportunity of working with so many loving, creative, and talented CCM people.

I am overwhelmed at how well tens of thousands of visitors to CCM have received our Tiny Treasures and taken home with them some of the exhibit’s magic and joy in ways never imagined.  I know that Michael’s Museum will continue to amuse, amaze, and astound CCM visitors from the greater Chicago area, across the nation, and around the world as it has been doing since its opening in May 2011. 

I look forward periodically to visiting CCM and know that I will continue to be welcomed with the compliments, recognition, and love that the exhibit creates. I look forward to having the time and space to follow my other loves: writing, photography, acting ... and of course ... continued collecting of tiny treasures.

Fondly,

Michael A. Horvich, Curator-in-Residence now Curator Emeritus
Michael’s Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures @ CCM

Curator's Supplies Collection. 

These items were on the curator's desk when it was still in Michael's home.

Collection Pix

The Tower: Back

Wagons, Native Americans, Ganesh, Grandpa Max, Pre-Colombian Reproductions, Day of the Dead, Eric's Gazebo, Day of the Dead Family Celebration Alter.

Collection Pix

The Tower: Front Side

Houses, Asian Art, Curators Supplies, Rhinestone,

Spool Drawers, Boxes, & Beads Collections