The Durand Room: This gallery was given in 1974 by Mrs. Samuel Durand in memory of her husband. It houses their collections of Parian Ware, threaded Sandwich glass and sea shells from around the world. Later their son, John Durand, bequeathed his valuable collection of 32 miniature carved birds by Elmer A. Crowell, the noted Cape Cod artist and carver of decoys. Popular in the 19th century, Parian Ware is so called because of its resemblance to the white marble from the Greek Island of Paros, used by so many of the classical sculptors. It was first produced in England about 1842 and later was made briefly in America by the Bennington Pottery Co. of Vermont (1843 – 1854). Parian figures originally were copies of classical and renaissance staturary. Soon manufacturers began making busts of contemporary figures, such as Dickens and Byron. Also of interest in this gallery is a fine collection of ornamental threaded glass produced by the Sandwich Glass Factory in the 19th century. The large collection of shells from around the world and Cape Cod, too, delights visitors of all ages.