Chronicles of Oklahoma
Volume 12, No. 4
December, 1934
NOTES
Page 479
The Historical Society has recently been the recipient of some very valuable donations which are a real contribution, both
historically and culturally. One of the most beautiful, interesting and worthwhile collections that has been presented to
the Museum Deportment of the Historical Society is the General Grant Fan Collection. It consists of seventy eight fans that
were collected by a member of General Grant's party who made a tour of the world at the close of his second administration
in 1877.
Many of these fans were the gift of royalty, and also of distinguished heads of governments who had been the hosts to our
most distinguished American citizen, at that time, General U. S. Grant. Some of these fans are two or three hundred years
old, and represent the works of art, in both painting and carving, by craftsmen of long ago. There are Chinese fans, the gift
from the rich Mandarins who were entertaining General Grant, while in the Orient. There are Japanese fans, Spanish fans, French
fans and Italian fans. Perhaps one of the most historic fans is the one presented to Jennie Lind, the "Swedish Nightingale"
by Queen Victoria. It has the nightingales woven in the Rosepoint lace, and her name carved on the front guard in mother of
pearl letters. We are delighted to have such a rich collection in our museum for the benefit of all lovers of artistic, aesthetic
and cultural things that embellish civilized life.
Another splendid gift comes from New York City; however it is a gift from a former Oklahoman who has been residing in New
York for several years. This is a painting entitled "Autumn Oaks." The original was painted by George Inness, and hangs in
the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York. This gift comes from Mrs. A. E. Davenport, wife of Dr. Davenport. Mrs. Davenport
is an artist in her own right, but she loves to copy the work of the world's greatest masters, and spends much of her time
copying paintings in the great art galleries of New York. Mrs. Davenport's maiden name was Julia Chisholm and is a niece of
Governor Douglas Johnston; was reared in his family. She is of Chickasaw and Cherokee blood and is a granddaughter of Jessie
Chisholm. Dr. Davenport, her husband, is now
Page 480
in the Government service in the Public Health Department. He was at one time President of the Board of Health in Oklahoma.
Mrs. McClendon of McAlester, Oklahoma has recently presented, to the Museum of the Historical Society, a number of pieces
of antique furniture of much value, also a large painting of Pushmataha, and a number of other items of historical interest.
In 1924 Mrs. McClendon loaned the Historical Society approximately one hundred articles of historical interest. She said she
wished to present these articles to the State Historical Society.
Dr. McClendon, up until his death October 3, 1934, was in charge of the hospital at Supply, Oklahoma. He was a pioneer physician
of the Indian Territory and a life member of Oklahoma Historical Society.
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