The Alexander Palace at the Newark Museum

[Yoyo22]

I am envious of everybody who has been or is able to visit the exhibition in Newark  . I do not live in the US but I was in Canada for two weeks in october (job related) and tried to squeeze a Newark trip over the weekend. Alas, it was impossible. But I console myself with the idea that at least I have been able to visit the AP itself this last summer.

Those who go, enjoy and keep us posted.

Yoyo

[JaneEyre5381]

I went to the exhibit this past Sunday with my grandparents, and we all enjoyed it rather immensely.  My impressions are very good to say the least, and I'm still undecided about what was the best part.  Overall, it somehow tied everything together for me.  The description in the book is now matched with a picture.

I hope to go again, but this time it will be with one of my friends, and hopefully Mom, stepdad and little sister.  

To all of you who haven't yet gone, but have a chance to do so, go, because it is well worth the time and effort.

Dasha

P.S.  I hope everybody has a Happy Thanksgiving Day with their loved ones.

[Eurohistory]

Let's remember that this exhibition now heads to Cincinnati where it will be for about 3 months starting in February.

Arturo Beéche

[MelissaR]

I live in Cincinnati and understand the exhibit is scheduled to come here in January.  How exciting that Massie was in Newark!  Was he at the Santa Fe exhibit also?  It would be wonderful if he is scheduled for Cincinnati.

Good News for Robert K. Massie fans! Mr. Massie will indeed be in Cincinnati during the Alexander Palace exhibit. He will be appearing at Cincinnati Museum Center on March 23, 2005 at 7 p.m. For information and to reserve tickets (seating is limited), call (513) 287-7000.

[Alexa]

I went to the exhibit over Thanksgiving with my mother (who introduced me to the Romanovs as a child) and boyfriend.  Despite the trek in from the city (subway to path to Newark subway to a short walk -- 2 hours all together), it was a wonderful exhibit.  My mom and I gushed over the intimate items of the family, such as the photo albums and toys.  There are just so many touching items on display.  It's hearbreaking to imagine them being used by the IF, and then remember what happened to the them.

Anyway, if you have a chance to go, go.  If you're in NYC, the trek to Neward may be long, but it's well worth it.

Alexa

[Labuanbajo]

I made the trek to the Newark Museum and it was well worth the effort. The museum is rather cramped and you're liable to get trampled by docents leading tours but  the exhibits are carefully prepared and mounted. My favorite was a letter from a little boy in Oakland, California who wrote to the Emperor to ask for stamps for his collection. He explained that he hadn't bothered to send any American stampsin exchange  because he thought that  Nicholas would already have  all the best specimens. The accompanying text tells us that Nicholas was adamant that all letters must be answered and I wish that we could have seen what His secretary had written to the American boy.

I found a few mistakes in the exhibit's text-the most egregious one was the mis-identiification of Prince George of Battenberg (2nd Marquess of Milford Haven) as King George V in one of the photographs. But those mistakes are meat and drink to us Romanov fans.

Of course there's a gift shop at the museum. Here's a post card with a photo of Alexei and one of his watercolors.

[Abby]

 i got those postcards too! my favorite is Maria, of course!

[RichC]

Just to add my 2 cents, I visited the exhibit on Dec 23rd with my brother, who knew nothing about the Romanovs -- and now he wants to take a trip to St. Petersburg!  So, it was definitely worth it.  We took the docent tour and I was quite impressed with her.  Although I noticed a few minor mistakes, overall, she was great.  

My favorite piece was the Marie Antoinette tapestry.  I also liked the "recreation" of the Mauve Room space -- (there were four corinthian columns set up to exactly match the size of the original Mauve Room) It really was a pretty small room, yet it contained 40 pieces of furniture -- must have been extremely cluttered...

Here are a few bits of info the docent imparted which I was not aware of:

1000 servants and a security staff of 5000 at the Alexander Palace

Empress Marie was against the marriage of Nicky & Alix specifically because of the fact that Alix had Hemophiliac brothers, uncle(s), nephews. (I had never heard that before -- has new evidence come to light regarding this?)

There is an actual photo of Nicholas' bath tub in the exhibit.

All food servers had to be male, very clean, tall, strong and handsome!

All-in-all a great exhibit and very kind -- especially -- to Alexandra.  The exhibit contained almost nothing about Rasputin...

Rich

[Alexa_Chiusano]

I went to see the exhibit in October, with my mother and aunt, and I saw Robert Massie. He autographed our books, and he talked to us a little bit about them. I especially liked seeing "fan" letters sent to the grand duchesses; one was from a boy in America, saying that they were very pretty. Another letter was asking Nicholas to send him stamps for his stamp collection. I also enjoyed seeing the replica of Alexei's donkey. Another thing I liked seeing was the pictures of the family.

[Ortino]

I went two days before the exhibit closed, and I must say was very impressed with their collection. The personal items they had fascinated me, especially the children's belongings. I really enjoyed those "fan letters" as well. I didn't even know that they received fan mail! Unfortunately because of when I went, I missed all of the smaller programs that the museum held and they were all sold out of those exhibit books. I had to order one from them *scowls*. Overall, an excellent display of Romanov treasures.  

[mek]

I live in Cincinnati and went to the exhibit today.  My husband and I visited the Alexander Palace last June and it was wonderful to see some of the original furnishings, especially the desk from the mauve room.  Also, there were actual fabric samples from the bedrooms of the Tsar and Empress, as well as some from Olga's and Tatiana's room.  A lace coverlet, bedshirt and pillow and pillow sham from the imperial bedroom were on display as well.  While there was a drawing of Nicholas' tub, unfortunately, there wasn't a photo as was mentioned above. Overall, it was very nicely done.

[Erin]

I dont live in cincinnati, but we have a house there. I'm going there sometime soon to go to the exhibit!! i CANNOT wait, it may not be the real alexander palace but for now its the closest im going to get. my dad owns some franchises out there, thus the house.

[RichC]

While there was a drawing of Nicholas' tub, unfortunately, there wasn't a photo as was mentioned above.

I'll see if I can find the photo somewhere online and post it.  You could actually see the inside of the tub itself.

[RichC]

I see that Michael Romanoff Ilyinsky will speak at the Cincinnati Museum on February 24th.  Is anyone from the forum planning to attend?  I would love to hear about it!  I wonder why he spells "Romanoff" with two F's instead of a V.

[Laura Mabee]

Ok, I read about this.. who is this guy?
*feels like a silly for not knowing who he is*