Description: On loan from Phil Whitney. This turtle shell, according to Whitney family legend, is suspected to be from an 1825 whaling expedition to the South Pacific. It was kept in the family home until 1928, when the Spurling house burned down, and was rescued from the flames by islanders trying to salvage their possessions. The shell is that of a Hawksbill sea turtle, larger than most found today, and you may notice an indentation on the left side. Turtles are adept at recovering from injuries but they can’t grow back bone, so this is likely an injury sustained from when this turtle was far smaller. [show more]
Description: A collection of shells and photographs taken from the Shell Midden on Fish Point. Some of the shells have holes in them, which may have been created by the indigenous people who hunted for them. Dating through the shell middens and other archeological remains, we know people have used this coastline and its plentiful marine resources for thousands of years. The Cranberries themselves were used by the indigenous peoples here, evidenced by the remains of a shell midden on Fish point (at the hook of the island) which isn’t accessible to the public. Shell middens are often referred to as trash heaps and they contain oyster, clam, and shellfish remains, along with ‘faunal remains’ which refers to the mammal, fish, bird, reptile bones and teeth that are found. A minor portion of the middens are often stone tools or their fragments, and pieces of ceramic pottery. Shellfish middens are phenomenal records of the lives lived in proximity to the coast, and they are often found in sheltered coves and bays, near small mudflats, and tidal/inland streams. They tell us which seasons people were occupying areas, their preference for sheltered areas with easy access to the ocean (for their canoes) and plentiful marine resources, such as shellfish flats, and spring runs of migratory fish. They are extraordinary records which are disappearing rapidly due to rising oceans. [show more]
Description: Approx. 2/3 life-size; adult pair on driftwood base, male standing on right, tail partially spread, head turned left, female on lower left, nested on wood, left toes protruding, tail folded, neck down, head turned slightly left; both with glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on center of base. Marked "Grouse, made for Addie Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Life size; pair on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base with painted metal glass in foreground, upper owl has wings up, head turned left facing front of piece, ear tufts erect, tail fanned out, legs reaching down as if alighting, lower owl perched, wings closed, ear tufts erect; both with glass eyes, metal toenails, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed"Gilley '75" on lower left of driftwood. Marked "Long-eared Owls by Wendell Gilley" on underside of base. [show more]
Description: Adult bald eagle, approximately one-sixth life-size, sitting upright on small driftwood knot ; lead feet with talons realistically gripping the base ; undercut wing tips crossed over carved tail ; Signed "Gilley" on left side of driftwood base; marked "Hilda, Hulda Bragdon, Xmas 1973" on underside of base
Description: Approx. 1/2 life size; mounted on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base, perched in hunting posture; glass eyes, metal feet, carved burned and painted detail. Marked, dated and signed "Red-shouldered Hawk, carved 1975, painted 1978, by W.H Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Miniature adult on driftwood base stands erect, neck [?] back, head up, glass eyes, metal legs, feet, and crest feathers, painted details. Signed on lower right of base "Gilley."
Description: Life size; adult on driftwood base, standing, right foot forward, beak agape, wings outspread, tail erect; glass eyes, metal legs, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed "Gilley" on base. Marked "Made for Addie Gilley, 1974, by W.H. Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Approx. 1/3 life size; osprey on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base, wings upraised, head down, beak open; glass eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Marked "made for Addie Gilley, driftwood gift of Mrs. David Rockefeller, Osprey by Wendell Gilley, 1971" on underside of base. Separate companion Mackerel: glass eyes, carved and painted detail.
Description: Near life size; on driftwood piece attached to oblong carved wooden base, bird on right standing erect, head turned to right, left leg raised, left bird bending over, right leg raised; both birds with glass eyes, metal legs and feet. Signed "Gilley '75" on left of base. Marked "Property of Addie Gilley, Marbled Godwit 1975, by W.H. Gilley" on underside.
Description: Life size; perched on green, oblong, wooden mound base, erect posture, facing forward; glass eyes, wire feet and legs, painted and burned detail. Marked, dated and signed "Robin, made for Addie Gilley, 1978, by W.H. Gilley" on underside of base.
Description: Adult on small driftwood base ; body appears to be "bobbing" downward ; tail swept up, wing tips folded over ; glass eyes, wire legs and metal feet ; body covered overall with finely incised lines. Signed, dated and marked "Semipalmated Plover (Lifesize) by W.H. Gilley, 1975" on underside of base.
Description: Adult standing on weathered driftwood base, right leg retracted, neck slightly outstretched, head erect and looking ahead, bill curved slightly downward ; glass eyes, wire legs and metal feet. Signed on top of base near left foot: "Gilley" in felt tip pen ; also on underside, "Spotted Sandpiper by W.H. Gilley, 1979"
Description: 3/4 to life size; adult male standing, head turned slightly to left on burl base, tail raised; painted eyes, metal feet, carved, burned and painted detail. Signed and marked "Ring-necked Pheasant for Addie Gilley by W.H. Gilley, 1976" on underside of base .
Description: Approx. 1/2 life size; adult on driftwood base, standing, neck down, beak horizontal, facing forward; glass eyes, metal legs, carved and burned detail. Signed "Gilley" on base.