Julia A. Purnell Museum

In Historic
Snow Hill, Maryland


Julia Anne Lecompte was born in Snow Hill, Maryland in 1843. She married William H. Purnell, a storekeeper, in 1869 and had two sons. Mrs. Purnell led an active life, even after a fall at the age of 85 left her confined to a wheelchair. Wanting something to occupy her time, she took up folk art needlework. Mrs. Purnell made over 1000 needlework pictures, most depicting historic homes or buildings in the town of Snow Hill. She entered her pictures into hobby and croft shows; she won the New York and Philadelphia Hobby Shows, and took the Grand Prize at the Wicomico Farm and Home Show. Mrs. Purnell and her art work became quite well-known; she received letters from as for away as South Africa, and letters of admiration and encouragement from such dignitaries as President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1941, Mrs. Purnell was inducted into the National Hobby Hall of Fame.
Mrs. Purnell's son William was devoted to his mother; he was also proud of her art work. In 1942, Mrs. Purnell joined William in founding the Julia A. Purnell Museum, in Snow Hill. The museum housed many of Mrs. Purnell's pieces (many others were given away to admirers), the tools she used, and bits of memorabilia from her long life.
Mrs. Purnell died 2 months after her 100th birthday, in December 1943. William continued to maintain the museum by adding Hems that were in use during his mother's lifetime. He asked for donations from the townspeople, who gladly gave their old tools, toys, machines, cooking utensils, clothing, books, curios, and the stories behind them. William continued to accept donations until 1957, when he turned the museum over to the town of Snow Hill. The museum was no longer simply a tribute to one woman, but had become a repository for the history and memories of the entire town.
Today, the Julia A. Purnell Museum offers interpretive exhibits of many aspects of the lives of Snow Hill and Worcester Countians. A time-line parallels the history of Worcester County with the history of the United States. Kitchen and hearth exhibits show visitors the utensils and methods used to keep a happy home during the 18th and 19th centuries. A "general merchandise" welcomes browsers back to a time when communities were built around the local general store. The Victorian era is also represented, complete with clothing, jewelry, and everyday items made of silver and exquisitely carved ivory. Machines and tools show the many "modern" improvements Mrs. Purnell experienced; these tools and machines were forerunners of ones we use today. Even the lighter side of life is remembered, with phonographs, toys, books and bicycles the Julia A. Purnell Museum offers something for everyone!


Built in 1891, the Purnell Museum building was originally a Catholic Church. It was port of the Wilmington Archdiocese, but was never very successful; the Delmarva Peninsula was largely Protestant. At its peak, the Catholic Church in Snow Hill consisted of 18 members. The church closed near the turn of the century, and the building was used for public functions until the Purnell Museum was housed there in 1957.

Membership
Become a member of the Julia A. Purnell Museum and help to support the interpretation of local history. Members receive a quarterly newsletter, advance notice of programs, and free admission to the museum.



Snow Hill, Maryland

The town of Snow Hill was founded in 1642 by English settlers. Established on the Pocomoke River, the town was mode a royal port by William and Mary of England; imported goods came through Snow Hill to be taxed. Exported goods included cypress lumber and tobacco. In addition, Snow Hill was the home of a thriving ship-building industry. In 1742, the Houses of Assembly approved "An Act to Divide Somerset County and to Create a new County on the Seaboard Side by the name of Worcester." Snow Hill was named as the new county seat.
As Snow Hill gained economic importance, the Pocomoke River become more heavily traveled. Large ships called on the little port town, offering overnight service to Norfolk and Baltimore. With the increase in river traffic, Snow Hill grew in other areas: hotels and boarding houses sprang up, and the Richardson, Smith and Moore Lumber Company dominated the waterfront as the largest employer in the County. General merchandise stores, liveries, coopers, smiths, and wagon-makers all took their living from the river traffic.
After the Civil War, the railroad found its way along Maryland's Eastern Shore, providing fast, inexpensive transportation of goods and passengers. As the technology of land transportation grew, the Pocomoke River was used less. Snow Hill went into decline: the shipyards closed, the boarding houses became vacant. However, the people turned to the agricultural industry, growing corn, soybeans and livestock. Thus, Snow Hill remains.
When traveling to Snow Hill from Salisbury, MD, toke route 12 south, to the center of town. From Ocean City, toke route 50 west to route 113 south. Follow route 113 to route 394 (Market St.).