A BRIEF HISTORY
of THE BEAD SOCIETY OF GREATER WASHINGTON
and THE BEAD MUSEUM
In 1983, the Bead Society of Greater Washington was founded by 12 original members and bead historian Peter Francis jr., as a forum for studying and disseminating knowledge about beads. It quickly grew to offer a full range of activities – monthly lectures and programs, a lending library, semi-annual bead bazaars, special outreach programs, exhibits to schools and libraries, a Newsletter, and a research library. In less than a decade it grew to 500 members and went on to organize two international bead conferences, the latter raising funds in 1995 to found The Bead Museum in Washington DC with the support of nationwide bead societies and individual contributors.
Through its museum, the Society fulfills its outreach mission. The Museum focuses on enhancing public appreciation of beads and ornaments as subjects of serious study as well as objects of beauty and enjoyment. We have organized twenty-three exhibits to date, twelve of them on major aspects of varied ethnic and contemporary beads and beadwork, also world trade routes and history. A recent exhibition, The Eternal Bead, introduced how beads satisfy fundamental human needs, and was developed in collaboration with cinematographer Diana Friedberg’s acclaimed Part I of her World On A String film series.
The Sacred Bead, in tandem with Part III of the “World” film series, is currently on show, as are two exhibits, To Bead or Not To Bead, and Beads and The Bard in collaboration with the D.C. Shakespeare Festival.
In 1998, the Museum launched its centerpiece Bead Timeline of History project to document history told through the beads people have created, worn, and treasured through the ages. Beads and beaded ornaments bridge geographic, socio-economic, and cultural divides suggesting common ground among diverse communities. The Timeline dates and places beads geographically from 10,000 BCE, identifies them, and relates them to historical cultures and technologies. The 38’ Timeline is the Museum’s permanent exhibition, numbers some 5000 beads to date, consists of donated beads or those on permanent loan pending donation, and may be the most extensively documented bead collection anywhere.
In 2003, the Museum began publishing catalogues of its exhibits, adding significantly to serious bead literature. Our Timeline Book, Part I from Prehistory to 1200 CE, is now used by collectors and auction houses to authenticate bead offerings. The Museum has also catalogued a 1400 volume, growing reference library that is available for public and scholarly use. It also has established a popular Museum Store of one-of-a-kind jewelry and ornaments at modest prices.
Main supporter of the Museum, the Bead Society of Greater Washington has increased its annual budget five-fold to support the Museum and two-person staff, and has launched strategic planning, assessment, accreditation, and expanding outreach efforts.
To maximize its potential for community outreach and service, and to operate effectively in the DC cultural corridor, the Museum must continue increasing its financial and program support. To do so, it is launching a Community Advisory Council and establishing year-around development activities. Everyone interested is cordially invited to participate!
Send Us an e-mail: info@beadmuseumdc.org
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