Images(2)

Souvenir

Object number2012.64.7

OriginLithuania

Mediumbronze

Credit LineGift of Sister Francesca Walls

DescriptionSouvenir pin. Rectangular bronze plate with green and black enamel. Straight pin mounted on reverse. Top left square has a gold symbol of a square of rays from a circular center. Top right square has a gold symbol of a creature with two points at top and open circles for eyes.Dimensions1.25 x 0.875 in. (3.2 x 2.2 cm)
InscriptionsObverse embossed on bottom: "ZEMAITIJA".
MarksEmbossed text on reverse side: "4(?)21K."
Historical NotesSamogitia (Zemaiciai, Zemaitija), western part of Lithuania bounded by the Nevezis river in east, the Baltic Sea on the west, the Nemunas river on the south, and the Latvian border on the north. The major portion of the region constitutes the Western Upland, but its name refers to the lowlands stretching along both sides of the Nevezis, which divides western and eastern Lithuania. Both the region and its inhabitants came to be called zemaiciai (lowlanders; nom. Sig. Zemaitis); the derivative Zemaitija became the accepted designation for the region fairly recently. 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)

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