This shell highlights one of the most unusual traits exhibited by about half of the shells known as the Dead Sea Seashells. While the shell itself seems to be that of a typical bi-valve (such as a clam, or a mussel), it has a series of holes, evenly spaced along its long edge. The holes appear to have been made with a drill, though the true origin of the holes has not been determined.

Segment A of the Dead Sea Seashells Collection is a assorted group of gastropod shells. Like the entire collection, these were from the cache of shells discovered in a plastic bucket on the shore of the Dead Sea.

One of the most common kind of shells found on the shores of beaches all over the world, these are produced by aquatic snails. There are an estimated 30,000 species of aquatic gastropods, and they produce an astonishing variety of shells.

One of the rarest collections in the SHUSH Museum, these seashells were discovered on the shore of the Dead Sea in a plastic bucket.

The wide array of shell types found were unprecedented, and studying the collection revealed some unique characteristics of this rare sub-type of seashells.

As a whole, these unique shell specimens remind us that the world is filled with undiscovered mysteries.

This is a bronze drawer pull was made for a wealthy Roman household. Once-elegant, this knob once adorned a cabinet or dresser in a home of of one of the Roman elite. Dated from 100 – 200 AD, this artifact was found in the ruins of the ancient city of Antium, a port known for being the home of many wealthy Romans, and as the birthplace of the Emperor Nero.

Antium is known today as Anzio, and even today, the remains of Roman villas can be seen. It is located about 30 miles south of Rome.

This partially filled glass of water, was left on the nightstand half-full of water in the Hilton Hawaiian Village where “The King” stayed while he was filming Blue Hawaii. This glass has miraculously stayed filled at the same level since that stay in the hotel in 1961.

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One of the most famous collectors of souvenir spoons is Emily Gilmore. A resident of Connecticut, Mrs. Gilmore has collected spoons for nearly 45 years.

This specimen was donated to the SHUSH Museum when she inherited a collection from her husband’s aunt Cecile, and found that there were a number of duplicate spoons in the combined collection.

Ben Franklin was taken by the sea and by boats at a young age and envisioned a life on the sea. In anticipation of this, he became a deft swimmer and thought about boats.

This love of aquatics is seen in this curious exhibit, a strange collage of pasta shaped into a simple sailing vessel on the sea. The pasta is affixed to the craft paper with melted candles and it is this that earns familial ire, and is noted in an admonitory report from his public grammar school teacher.

While the report has long ago been lost, a description of its content was found in the journal of Ben’s father, Josiah, who was a tallow chandler. According to this source, the note chastised the lad for his use of the expensive candles to adhere the material. His teacher was certain that the use of the more expensive items was a sign that young Benjamin lacked appropriate judgement and was given to frivolous waste of expensive materials. She suspected that the materials were taken without permission, and indicated the lad was destined for a life of sloth and criminal behavior.

There are some who note that the feather in the tri-corn hat is also made of macaroni.

John Chapman, (September 26, 1774 – March 18, 1845) commonly known as Johnny Appleseed, traveled through the country planting trees.  He was known for his generosity and peculiar way of dressing.

Chapman never married, and when he died he left over 1000 acres of trees. The seeds of his preferred apple, a varietal which came to be known as “The Johnny Appleseed,” produces an apple that is especially good for baking and for applesauce.

The “King of the Wild Frontier”  grew up in Tennessee, where he became known as a hunter and a teller of stories. As a  member of the militia, he gained a reputation as a frontiersman and fighter.

He served in the Tennessee state government, and eventually represented the state in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was known for  opposing President Jackson’s policies, particularly in regard to the Native Americans, and this led to his defeat in the 1831 elections. When he failed to be re-elected in 1835, he made the decision to go to Texas, which was at that time still part of Mexico. When he left his home where, as the song says, “he knew every tree,” he picked up a rock, and took it with him to remind him of his family and the land he knew so well.

Not long after he arrived,in Texas, he became involved in the revolution, and he died in march, 1836, defending the Alamo. His son bequeathed this token from his final effects to the SHUSH Museum.