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Helen McNeil-Ashton — Creativity and Conflict: The Marriage of Edward and Josephine Hopper

August 15 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

In 1924 Edward Hopper married Josephine (“Jo”) Nivison, an artist whose works at that time had been more widely exhibited. During their 43 year marriage Jo was Edward’s muse, model, accountant and, arguably, victim.  In the era of #MeToo, this lecture places the tumultuous Hopper marriage in the context of period relationships and other artist-artist marriages while asking questions about historical method. How important is biographical information — if at all — in understanding the art work? How does the viewer deal with the “curse of knowledge,” as we inevitably bring cultural assumptions to the viewing of the art work? Once known, can biographical knowledge ever be undone?

Edward Hopper said several times that his paintings were himself; what happens if we take him at his word and read his works as psychobiography? After looking at works by Edward, Jo and some contemporaries, the talk ends with an analysis of Edward’s “Rooms by the Sea” (1951).

Helen McNeil-Ashton is Vice-President in Charge of the Collection at the Truro Historical Society and curated the new permanent exhibition in the Edward and Josephine Hopper Room at Highland House Museum.

For over two decades Helen was a lecturer in American Literature, Film Studies and literary and visual Modernism at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England.  She holds a B.A. from Reed College and an M.A .and Ph.D. from Yale University.

Highland House Museum and Cobb Archive Remain Closed to the Public

Highland House Museum and Cobb Archive Remain Closed to the Public

Due to the pandemic, the Highland House Museum will not be opening to the public this season. Please consult our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information about the 2020 season. Thank you!

HISTORIC TRURO: Landmarks and Legends Self-Guided Tours

A joint project of the Truro Historical Commission and the Truro Historical Society, this guidebook was created to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower in Cape Cod Bay in 1620 and is an update of the 1984 guide that celebrated the 275th anniversary of the founding of Truro.
Click here to download the guidebook: Historic Truro Tours

This program was supported in part by a grant from the Truro Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Funding for printing was also provided by the Truro Chamber of Commerce, Truro Part-Time Resident Taxpayers’ Association, and Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod. Chuck Steinman, Editor and Graphic Design, Truro Historical Commission.

Vintage Maps for Sale

Vintage Maps for Sale

The Museum has reproductions of vintage maps of Cape Cod and the Outer Cape for sale. Visit our “Vintage Maps” page to see our collection. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Help fund the Wampanoag Exhibition through AmazonSmile!

Help fund the Wampanoag Exhibition through AmazonSmile!

Please consider designating the Truro Historical Society as the recipient of your amazon.com purchases. Your donation will help fund our new permanent Wampanoag exhibition!

What is AmazonSmile? AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. You can choose from over one million organizations to support.

Visit the Cobb Archive

The Cobb Archive is open by appointment, Thursday from 9:30-12 PM.
To schedule an appointment or request information, please contact:
[email protected]

13 Truro Center Road, Truro, MA
508.349.0200

Truro Historical Society Contact Information

Truro Historical Society (THS)
PO Box 486
Truro, MA 02666-0486
[email protected]

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Cobb Archive

13 Truro Center Road Truro, MA 508.349.0200
9:30 – 12:00 Tuesday and Thursday 1:00 - 3:30 Wednesday

Highland House Museum

6 Highland Light Road North Truro, MA 02652 508.487.3397
June 1 to September 29, 2018
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM

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