PHOTO PROVIDED A painting of money, seashells and cigars.

The public is invited to attend the opening of Echoes of Eden in a Rising Republic: Still Life and the Beauty of Becoming, an exhibition featuring a collection of thirty-seven still life paintings at the Thomas T. Taber Museum of the Lycoming County Historical Society, Williamsport.

The special opening will be held 7 to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 5. At that time, a number of items will be on sale including Exhibition posters and a catalogue, and ornaments created by local artists. Sales of these items will benefit the museum. Hors d’ouevres will be served.

The paintings will remain on display at the Taber Museum through May 31, 2026 during normal visiting hours.

According to a news release, the paintings are drawn from the Neal Milligan Collection and will feature the works of Charles Baum, Gustavus Adolphus Behne, William Mason Brown, Edward L. Custer, Joseph Decker, Adelheid Dietrich, Robert Spear Dunning, George Forster, John Francis, Virginia Granbery, George Henry Hall, George Harvey, Paul Lacroix, George Cochran Lambdin, I.L. Masters, Franklin Harrison Miller, William Rickarby Miller, Joseph Biays Ord, Rubens Peale, John Frederick Peto, Severin Roesen, Louis Rondel, Isabella Sullivan and Andrew John Henry Way.

“Prominent within the exhibit, six still life paintings of Severin Roesen will bring his works ‘home’ to Williamsport,” the news release said. “Roesen was actively painting within the lumber town of Williamsport between 1862 until 1872. Roesen’s still life paintings often portray settings of luscious fruit or abundant floral bouquets. His work received little attention until First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy chose two of his paintings for inclusion in the White House collection.”

Ornaments created by local artists will also be offered for sale. The 2025 featured ornament entitled “Celebrating Still Life” is a signed, limited edition clay representation of a miniature painting inspired by Severin Roesen and created by Lisa Bitler. Depicted in the painting are fruit and flowers in a vase. The vase is created with ground glass and the frame of the painting is embellished with 24-karat gold gilders paste to replicate Victorian gilded frames found in many local Victorian homes of that time period. Additional artists include: Deb Parsons, Lampworked Glass; Max Ameigh, Pottery; Perry Bassler, Santas fashioned from forks; Becky Charles, fiber; Amanda Emig, Santas and snowmen; Theresa Phillips, gourds; Judy Steinhilper, fused glass; Victoria Stetts, Japanese Kimekomi & Kusudama; and Catheal Weiser, Temari Balls.

Located in Williamsport, the Taber Museum provides a history of the region with information about Native American culture, frontier exploration, the development of the Pennsylvania canal, immigration during the 19th century, and the logging and lumbering era of the 19th century.

According to the news release the museum is open for touring Tuesdays through Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays (May through October), 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. For further information, please contact the museum at 570-326-3326 or visit our website at www.tabermuseum.org.