Souvenir
Object number2012.64.9
OriginLithuania
Mediumbronze
Credit LineGift of Sister Francesca Walls
DescriptionRectangular bronze souvenir pin with blue enamel background and straight pin mounted on reverse. Embossed image of a sailboat with stylized water underneath and text on bottom edge.Dimensions1.25 x 0.375 in. (3.2 x 1 cm)InscriptionsObverse has text at bottom: "PALANGA".
Historical NotesLoved by many and hated by many others Palanga leaves few Lithuanians undecided. This is the country's largest seaside resort town and its nickname "Summer capitalö" describes it well enough. In summer this small town of 16,000 locals becomes a metropolis with hundreds of thousands people flocking in. Souvenir from Lithuania collected by the Franciscan nuns in Whitehall, particularly Sister Francesca Walls. Sister Francesca was born in 1910 to Lithuanian immigrants. She joined the convent in Whitehall and became a teacher of music, art, and home economics. She was actively involved in the Pittsburgh community and participated in events such as the Pittsburgh Folk Festival. Her true passion was educating people regarding Lithuanian culture and preserving it. She was known for her Lithuanian crafts and her incorporation of Lithuanian music and language into her lesson plans. She created many “Pass and Read” binders so more people could be informed on what was happening in Lithuania today.
Previous owner
Sister Francesca Walls
(born 1910)
On View
Not on view
1999
c. 1987