The W.H. Stark House Collection and Exhibits

Visit the W.H. Stark House and you’ll see a stunning collection of late 19th and early 20th-century art and furniture. This collection is placed within each room of the three-story home built in 1894 by prominent philanthropists William Henry Stark and Miriam M. Lutcher Stark. The Starks were avid collectors, and many of the items on display were either acquired by them or inherited from their families. Along with these collected items, the W.H. Stark House has exhibits that provide even more insight on the Stark family and how they impacted the town of Orange.

W.H. Stark House Collections

Cut Glass

Vases, plates, platters, and other pieces comprise the W.H. Stark House’s cut glass collection, which showcases the artistry and skill common to the American Brilliant period (1876 – 1917). Cut glass pieces with panel patterns are featured in the collection, along with a matching bowl and tray. Many of the items in this set were made by T.G. Hawkes & Company and Pairpoint Manufacturing Company, two glass makers based in New York and Massachusetts, respectively.  

Furniture

Each room of the W.H. Stark House has beautifully preserved wooden chairs, tables, desks, beds, and more from the 19th and 20th centuries. These pieces reflect the range of styles that the Stark family used during their lives, in turn providing a glance at what the home may have looked like in its heyday.

Textiles

The Stark House’s textile collection consists of tablecloths, napkins, and decorative from around the world. This includes Miriam Lutcher Stark’s personal collection of antique lace, some of which dates back to the 1500’s.

Pottery

Satsuma pottery, dinner sets with hundreds of items, and Staffordshire transfer print pieces make up the Stark House’s set of pottery, the largest collection in the museum. Much of the collection hails from Germany, France, England, Japan, and China and were made in the 18th and 19th centuries.  

W.H. Stark House Exhibits

Living Legacy

The Living Legacy exhibit, situated in the Carriage House, features stories of how the Stark family helped the other members of the community. Never before exhibited items from the Stark House are on display, as well.

Some of these exhibits are only temporary. Make sure to check the W.H. Stark House’s website for up-to-date information on their current exhibits.