Sunday, April 7 – Mercer County
The Mystery of the Shoe in the Roof: Panel Discussion
Sunday, April 7, 2019
2 – 4 pm
William Trent House Visitor Center
Experts on concealed objects, Early American shoes, and the architecture of the Trent House to explore why, when, and how a shoe was hidden in the House roof
In early 2018, when contractors were preparing to repair the cornice on the north side of the 1719 William Trent House, they were surprised to find an old leather shoe tucked behind the soffit. Who put it there? When? Why? The experts weigh in during a panel discussion to explore the mystery surrounding the early American shoe. The program on Sunday, April 7, 2019, from 2 – 4 pm at the William Trent House Museum Visitor Center is presented by the Trent House Association.
Chris Manning is presenting her Master’s thesis research on the custom, originating in Europe and found in the eastern and Midwestern United States, of hiding talismans, such as shoes and written charms, in the fabric of a building. This “homemade magic” was intended to protect the occupants from evil. Valentine Povinelli draws upon his experience as a shoemaker at Colonial Williamsburg to demonstrate how the construction of the shoe can help date it to the first half of the 19th century and determine its likely ownership and use. Kevin Joy, a historic preservation consultant, and architectural historian describes the changing architecture of the Trent House, exploring how a 19th-century shoe might have placed in the roof of a structure built in 1719.
Tickets are $12 for Trent House Association Members and $15 for general admission. Free off-street parking is available and light refreshments are being served. Details are available at https://williamtrenthouse.org; tickets can be purchased at the door. 
