Turtle Bay Exploration Park

https://www.turtlebay.org/blog/2026/11/3-atom-blog-abacus

Chinese Abacus — Turtle Bay How many different stories can we tease out of an object that comes to us with very little documentation? Researching an Artifact of the Month can be a bit of a “choose your own adventure” for the Turtle Bay staff and volunteers who produce this exhibition. Or, as we say, “So many rabbit holes...

This week’s Artifact of the Week takes us back to a time when handwork was a familiar part of everyday life for many women and youths. This knitting apron (1972.24.45 Gift of Linda Morrison) features two deep pockets perfect for holding yarn and needles. Embroidered in red on ecru silk are the words: "When Daylight is Flitting, We Take up Our Knitting."

One of the earliest known printings of this phrase was in the 1881 textbook Illustrated Sewing Primer, written and arranged by Louise J. Kirkwood, who was associated with New York’s Wilson Industrial School. The phrase appeared again, and was further popularized, in Gilbert and Sullivan’s 1885 opera The Mikado, sung by bridesmaids preparing a character for her wedding.

Eventually, the saying appeared in various contexts, from birthday cards to household textiles. In an 1885 fictional newspaper story, a woman named Dolly plans to make knitting aprons bearing the phrase to raise money for her impoverished aunt, selling them for two dollars each.

The expression captured the rhythm of 19th-century domestic life, when knitting offered a practical and relaxing pastime that could fill quieter, darker hours after a day’s work. By 1914, it was recognized as an “old song”, reflecting its enduring familiarity. Today, while electric lighting allows us to work at any hour, this apron offers us a glimpse of a time when knitting was woven into the rhythms of everyday life.

It's the last few days of our Fall Plant Sale! Take advantage of 20%- 30% off regular prices on California natives, ornamental grasses, and more! Fall is the best time to plant! Visit the Turtle Bay Garden Nursery, now through Saturday, Oct 31, for the best selection!

📍1100 Arboretum Drive, Redding, CA
Full inventory of plants at turtlebaynursery.org

With Halloween just around the corner, it seemed like the perfect time to bring this Artifact of the Week out of the archives!

This photograph of a mysterious black cat (1989.46.19 Gift of Zola Shuman) was donated to the museum by Zola Mildred Thomasson Shuman (b.1913, d.1995) as part of a larger collection of family photographs and portraits. We wondered: did the cat belong to one of Zola’s relatives? What was its name?

Zola was a third-generation Shasta County resident. Her paternal grandmother, Nellie Terbush Thomasson, was born in Igo in 1859. Zola’s father was born in Redding in 1880 and her mother in 1883.

The mystery of this photograph is that we don’t know who this little kitty belonged to, or when and where it was taken. The photograph is not labeled, and there is no additional provenance documentation beyond its connection to Zola’s family collection.

Zola’s donation includes a photo album with photographs of family members, as well as many unlabeled portraits. Many of the “cabinet cards” are embossed with the photographer’s name and, sometimes, the address of the studio where the photograph was taken. Researching these photographers and addresses has helped us narrow down the possible dates of many of the photographs.

But there’s still more detective work to do! By comparing those dates with Zola’s family tree, we may be able to determine who appears in some of these photographs.

As for the regal and statuesque feline, we may never know whose pet it was – or even its name!

Registration is now open for this winter's Discovery Camp! Turtle Bay's Discovery Camp provides an opportunity for creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning for children ages 7-12! Dates are available during Thanksgiving and Winter Break, each with a different theme. Space is limited, so register today at turtlebay.org/camps.

🔎Nov 23-25, Journey Through the Senses
🖌️Dec 21-23, Creative Creators!
🌎Dec 28-30, Our Weird, Wacky & Wonderful World

Supported by The Save Mart Company CARES Foundation and CalPortland

Museum After Hours is TONIGHT! Come dressed up in your Halloween best and visit the Museum in this exclusive 21+ setting. View our newest exhibitions, America at the Crossroads and Emotions at Play.

Don't miss out on the evening specialty cocktail, Midnight Spell! 🕷️

Enjoy live music provided by Sarah Cameron.

Tickets are available online or at the door. $8/members and $13/non-members. See you tonight!

Don't miss the ever-popular Paint Night in a special location at the Turtle Bay Nursery! Join local artist and art instructor, Rowena Ednilao, as she guides you in creating your take-home masterpiece. All materials and a glass of w**e are included. 21+ only.

📅Saturday, October 24, 4:30-7pm
📍1100 Arboretum Drive
🎟️$45/member and $50/non-member

Get your tickets at turtlebay.org/events

🎨 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲! ⏰

West Coast artists, this is your moment! 🌟 Submissions for Turtle Bay’s 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 are due by 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝟱:𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗺!

Showcase your creativity, share your unique perspective, and get your work in front of audiences at this exciting, juried exhibition celebrating contemporary art from across the West Coast! Artists 18+ from California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska are invited to enter for a chance to win 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 $𝟯,𝟬𝟬𝟬! 💰🖼️

✨ 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗿, 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗿𝘆! Founder of The Art Hunger and Arts Director for Viva Downtown Redding, Karlo is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and cultural organizer passionate about strengthening creative communities and expanding opportunities for artists. He will select 30–50 artworks for the exhibition and award cash prizes at the exhibition opening on Friday, January 29, 2027.

👉 Learn more and submit your work today at www.turtlebay.org/biennial-submissions