Everything in its Place:
Useful and Beautiful Objects from the Collection of Dalnavert Museum
In 1880, author and designer William Morris shared some memorable advice about how to decorate a middle-class home. Morris proposed, “If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
Welcome to the “Everything In Its Place” digital extension, a collection of short essays exploring the place of useful and beautiful objects in nineteenth-century middle-class homes. These essays were authored by thirteen University of Manitoba students, the co-curators of a Spring 2023 exhibition held at Dalnavert Museum and Visitors’ Centre.
To read essays authored by these co-curators, click on the images below. As you will discover, they share fascinating histories of objects that are both everyday and extravagant, familiar and peculiar.
Coffee Pot
by Frances Lamont
Dinner Gong
by Ilianna Hoople
Beaded Purse
by Ariella Gunn
Toy Dog
by Alison Holliday
Ox Platter
by Sam McDonald
Nerve Food
by Cailly Wiebe
Stereoscope
by Virginia Page Jähne
Tussy Mussy
by Shelby Steele
Sewing Kit
by Lakshmisree Shaji Marar
Chamber Pot
by Sean Hetherington
Mrs. Beeton’s
by Kaitlyn Gonçalves
Punch Bowl
by Sakshi Tyagi
Wall Plaque
by Meghann Robern
The Co-Curators
View the Exhibit
Both the “Everything In Its Place” Exhibition and this Digital Extension were created by University of Manitoba students with the support of Dr. Vanessa Warne (University of Manitoba). Thanks go to the Staff of Dalnavert Museum and Visitors’ Centre for the opportunity to work with and learn from the Museum’s collection. Special thanks go to both Collections Registrar Inés Bonacossa, who supported this project with her time and expertise, and staff member Samantha Machado, who designed this digital extension and uploaded its content.