The Museum Shop at Woodlawn Plantation has moved up. Up to the first floor of the plantation, that is.
Located in the basement for many years, filled with a plethora of treasures, the board has decided to move and consolidate the merchandise.
Two nicely remodeled rooms off the main entrance now serve as the shop, which will continue to sell wines, gourmet foods, greeting cards and a limited selection of jewelry. There is a nice selection of books on history, architecture and gardening, as well as many items relating to Frank Lloyd Wright. These, like some of the other items, are things that can’t be found in other places in the area.
“We want to offer things that people can’t find elsewhere. Our new mission statement is to educate our visitors with our products — and be profitable,” said Ross G. Randall, director, Woodlawn and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House.
One of the items that illustrates this authenticity is the selection of balms and bars which they sell. Pete Baysinger, who has worked at Woodlawn for many years, said that the products were inspired by items used during Nelly Custis’ time. “Most of the ingredients were available during that time,” she said.
GONE FROM THE SHOP will be most of the Christmas ornaments, knick-knack items, home and garden items and whimsical gift purchases. What will remain is a selection from Nelly’s Needlers, Woodlawn’s nonprofit arm, which makes hand-crafted items and contributes them to the shop.
In addition to being able to purchase one of the many hand-crafted items from Nelly’s Needlers — children’s clothes, linens, quilts, decorative art and more — shoppers and visitors can also purchase $1 raffle tickets for a chance on a basket of “hand-stitched holiday items.” This basket overflows with all kinds of holiday articles. Tickets can be purchased at the house until early January, at which point the winner will be announced.
“We want our products to be inspired by the house and focus on why we’re here,” said Randall. “We’ll continue to scout for items with historical connection and continued relevance. There will be much more select buying.”