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Magazine Antiques, Jan, 1998 by Allison Eckardt Ledes

The loan exhibition, which for the second year is sponsored by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, is entitled Historic Deerfield: Collecting for a New England Village. It is the first time that a large selection of objects from Historic Deerfield's splendid collection have been removed from the fourteen historic houses in which they are on permanent view. More than forty pieces were selected for the exhibition by Deerfield's deputy director and curator, Philip Zea, to present a cross section of the museum's extensive holdings of paintings, furniture, silver, ceramics, glass, and textiles. The loan exhibition is set against a backdrop that evokes the historic streets and buildings of Deerfield, Massachusetts. It has been installed at the entrance to the antiques show, thereby visually transporting visitors into the breathtaking rural setting of this outdoor museum.

Historic Deerfield represents the fruitful labors of two dedicated early collectors of Americana, Henry N. (1893-1970) and Helen Geier Flynt (1895-1987). The Flynts have been referred to as "noncollectors" because at their marriage in June 1920 Henry swore to his bride that he would never collect anything, having been raised in a family of what he labeled "gatherers." In a pigs eye, as it were. Unbeknownst to his wife, the young attorney soon sought out early American autographs - initially of the chief justices and later of important figures in American history.

The Flynts fell in love with Deerfield in the late 1930s when their son was enrolled at Deerfield Academy, a school whose history has been deeply intertwined with the town since it was founded there in 1797. Initially the Flynts were collectors of buildings. In 1945 they acquired the Deerfield Inn (as comfortable lodgings for visiting parents) and the Allen House (which they bought for themselves), both of which had to be furnished. When they saw the educational potential in this endeavor, they acquired additional houses with the intention of furnishing them with historical artifacts. And collect these noncollectors did! Their interests eventually encompassed all aspects of the decorative arts, particularly as they were related to New England, and their collection swelled to thousands of objects.

In 1956 Henry Flynt confessed that he had fallen victim to the "disease of collecting." Suitably, this sentiment was expressed in an essay he contributed to the catalogue of the Winter Antiques Show East Side Settlement in which he happily recollected the joint venture he had enjoyed with his wife. He wrote: "The best thing about the disease of collecting is that it is infectious. It is one disease you do not mind having your wife contract. Her tastes and desires complement or refine yours. Before you know it you both may be collecting houses.... When you have the houses they must all be completely and properly furnished. It's simply a vicious circle."

More than forty years later this circle has completed another revolution with this loan exhibition, which illustrates how the interests and philanthropic aims of this couple established an important institution that continues to evolve and to be refined by the present curatorial staff.

The catalogue of the Winter Antiques Show contains an essay by Philip Zea. It may be ordered for $16.00 (paper covers). For information about tickets and the catalogue telephone 718-292-7392.