This collection of cloth and ink, combined with a view into the history of glass, art and culture, is designed for both the historian and explorer. “As we have just set sail on this voyage and expedition, we know not where we will land. Let the moderate southerly winds guide us safely into a port of hospitable people, such as one would find in Block Island.” David Gates
As far back as the mid 1700’s a lookout tower has stood on the site at the intersection of 138 and Rt. 1 in South Kingstown, RI. Then, the tower was constructed of stone. Today it is a tall wooden structure. Back in the mid to late 1800’s you could stay "SOUTH OF THE TOWER" and find most of what you were looking for. Everybody knew each other. Certainly everyone knew Dr. Horace Wilcox.
Just a few miles North of the tower lies the small village of Wickford, formerly Updikes Newtown. In 1637 Captain Richard Smith Sr. received from the Narragansett Sachems, Canonicus and Miantinomi, a large tract of land at Cocumscussoc. “Captain Richard Smith built what has long been designated as the “Old Castle” within one half mile of the village of Wickford. This, in 1639, was erected for the farm house of Captain Smith, and here, the good Roger Williams, who also fled from persecution, often visited.” (1) The “Old Castle” is also referred to as “Smith’s Castle”, a name that is recognized today. In 1643, Smith’s daughter, Katherine married Gysbert Opdyke of New Amsterdam, which later became New York City. The property remained in the Updike Family for four generations.
Of all the categories relating to glass bottles, few seem to capture the historian collector’s interest more than “Historical Flasks”. For it was the art of glassmaking in the 19th century that truly enabled manufacturers to integrate color and design into their products. This was the era of The Historical Flask.
In the spring of this year, 2011 I discovered two amber Warner Safe Cures along with hundreds of other artifacts from the mid to late 1800’s and early 1900’s. "RECENT DISCOVERIES" is just a glimpse of the past. "We will not be discouraged by that which we fail to discover, but inspired by our future dreams of learning more about our past". David Gates