Reception for the Aaron & Harriet Osborn Portraits – Sunday, June 3, 2012, 1PM
The portraits of Aaron and Harriet Osborn were passed down to Professor Bradner W. Coursen 25 years ago. He wondered who they were. In researching his family tree he discovered he was a direct descendent of Aaron Osborn. Aaron’s grandparents, John & Abigail Osborn (who built the home that is now our museum), lived next door to Aaron. He married Harriet Manning in 1810. They had 8 children in their brief 17 years of marriage (he died in 1827, she in 1828). Aaron was the third Postmaster in Plainfield, NJ.
Please join us for the unveiling, and the reception for the Coursen family, at the Osborn-Cannonball Museum located at 1840 E. Front Street in Scotch Plains. The reception starts at 1:00PM.
The portraits, graciously donated to the museum by the Coursen family, will be unveiled by Aaron and Harriet Osborn’s descendants, two of Professor Bradner W. Coursen’s sons. Punch and light refreshments fitting of the period of the portraits creation will be served.
The two portraits were painted by the well-known artist Micah Williams. His portraits post-date the War of 1812. Micah made his own pastel pigments and backed many of his portraits with layers of newspapers. Both portraits, oil on canvas, are fragile and currently only in fair condition. They require a costly restoration. Donations are currently being sought for this project.
Please join us in welcoming home Aaron and Harriet Osborn.
