The Wonder Room

The Wunderkammer arose in sixteenth-century Europe as collections of notable and rare objects, mostly from well-to-do people. Wunderkammer can be literally translated from German as a 'room of wonder'. In English, such rooms are referred to as cabinets of curiosities. Over time, these places showcased collections which consisted of natural and manmade objects representing multiple disciplines. They became popular in early America and are often seen as precursors to modern museums.

This exhibition will present a contemporary interpretation of the traditional cabinet of curiosities, bringing together a diverse selection of works by artists and craftspeople who have connections to the Woodstock area over the last two hundred years. The objects show the breadth of the History Center’s collection, which we hope will bring a renewed sense of wonder of the quality of work produced here.

Learn more about these artists:

Photos by Tara Wray.