These two sites will explain the pinapple as a sign of hospitality. Hope this helps. http://www.levins.com/pineapple.html http://www.southernwindinn.com/pineapplehospitality.html -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Lynx Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2006 12:40 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] pineapple question I was intrigued by this, because I noticed the use of pineapple motifs engraved on glasses, etc., at Colonial Williamsburg. I associate pineapple with the tropics, and was curious if the design was used in Williamsburg in the late 1700's, or if it was a contemporary motif.. David This is a question for all you museum educators and curators out there. My Education Coordinator is presenting a session at our local historic sites consortium symposium about museum/historic house myths and will be explaining but mostly debunking the popular myths heard around the country, e.g. closets were taxed, firescreens kept people's wax makeup from melting, the second leading cause of death among women was catching on fire, etc. She has come across one that is intriguing and wants to include it in her talk. There are apparently several versions of the "pineapple story" floating around. One, a pineapple was placed on a visitor's plate at mealtime if they had overstayed their welcome thereby giving them a signal that it was time to leave. Another version states that "pineapples" carved on the posts (I assume the mean the finials) of four-poster beds were removed if the visitor has overstayed their welcome. I think this last one refers to the crosshatched elliptical decoration sometimes seen on rococo-style furniture. Has anyone heard these or versions of these? Do you have any suggestions on where it might have originated? We all know about the pineapple being a symbol of welcome and hospitality, when was this connection created? Heidi Campbell-Shoaf Curator Historical Society of Frederick County 24 E. Church St. Frederick, MD 21701 [log in to unmask] ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). -- Yakima Valley Museum yakimavalleymuseum.org 509-248-0747 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).