Dedicated to the appreciation of the mundane in everyday life
April 13, 2016 11:27 AM   Subscribe

The Umbrella Cover Museum is about finding wonder and beauty in the simplest of things, and about knowing that there is always a story behind the cover. [via]
posted by jessamyn (18 comments total) 12 users marked this as a favorite
 
Previously?
posted by wenestvedt at 11:29 AM on April 13, 2016 [3 favorites]


Nancy 3. Hoffman, Director and Curator!

Any relation to Jennifer 8. Lee?
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:30 AM on April 13, 2016 [1 favorite]


Nancy 3. changed her perfectly normal middle Name (Arlene) to a middle Number in 1992. The change fit in well with her penchant for doing unusual and amusing things. She also loves the fact that it translates into any language.
posted by Etrigan at 11:33 AM on April 13, 2016 [2 favorites]


This is most excellent. I'm going to Maine for a week this summer, maybe I can stop by!
posted by Secretariat at 11:36 AM on April 13, 2016


People flocked by the tens to see the museum, people were thrilled to donate their old umbrella sheaths, and the international press went bonkers. and at 11 a.m. on July 7, 2012. After 5 years of applying to Guinness to be permitted to even TRY for a world record, Nancy 3. Hoffman finally succeeded in having them create a new category for umbrella sleeves.

How can you not love a world where one can read sentences like these.
posted by barchan at 11:38 AM on April 13, 2016 [8 favorites]


According to this 2004 NYTimes story, she changed her middle name "because, she said, 'I always wanted to.'"

That is both anti-climactic and perfect. I do wonder: is her full middle name Three, abbreviated as 3. when used as an initial? Or is it just 3?

She also loves the fact that it translates into any language.

With the possible exception of Pirahã.
posted by jedicus at 11:39 AM on April 13, 2016 [3 favorites]


So, is the '.' a decimal point, or does it mark an abbreviation?

Like either her exact middle name is '3.2768', but when speaking roughly you can just use '3.', or perhaps her full middle name is '376' (pronounced "three hundred seventy six"), but people routinely just use their middle initial, thus '3.'

Or maybe her full middle name is '3llen'. I have questions.
posted by benito.strauss at 11:40 AM on April 13, 2016 [2 favorites]


(I guess one should always reload new comments before hitting post.)
posted by benito.strauss at 11:41 AM on April 13, 2016


Peaks Island ? We should send MeFi's own local around the corner to it..
posted by k5.user at 11:50 AM on April 13, 2016


He says he's never been!
posted by jessamyn at 12:07 PM on April 13, 2016


I know Nancy 3, and have visited the museum. In fact, I have an umbrella cover I've been meaning to contribute. She is a singularly charming and multi-talented individual, and you should make an opportunity to visit Peaks Island and her museum. Rusty, go visit!
posted by theora55 at 12:09 PM on April 13, 2016


Lady 3Jane Marie-France Tessier-Ashpool approves.

I hope she uses the publicity to make people aware of the needs of tall people. Those spokes you are casually twirling are at eye-level, short-stuff.
posted by adept256 at 1:58 PM on April 13, 2016 [2 favorites]


We're delighted to claim Nancy 3. as a part time resident of Key West. Probably the parts that are real cold in Maine. The collection was recently exhibited at our Custom House Museum by KWAHS.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 2:08 PM on April 13, 2016 [2 favorites]


Oh my god I love the mundane, and I love this FPP.
posted by sidereal at 2:21 PM on April 13, 2016


Oh, and if we're sharing museums here, I'll drop a link to the Burnt Food Museum, whose curator is also interesting.
posted by benito.strauss at 2:34 PM on April 13, 2016 [1 favorite]


Greetings from Peaks. Yes, Nancy's a real treasure and so is the museum!
posted by Jubal Kessler at 4:14 PM on April 13, 2016 [2 favorites]


How is it possible that I have lived this long without knowing about the Umbrella Cover museum?
posted by jasper411 at 5:21 PM on April 13, 2016 [1 favorite]


I want to add that the web design of her page is quite wonderful and appropriate, too. (No sarcasm.)

And I just checked, but the one umbrella I own has, alas!, no cover. Which I would have sent to her, if I would have had. (I don't even know why I have an umbrella, I never use one.)

Godspeed, umbrella cover museum. As long as institutions as bonkers as this exist, we may not be doomed.
posted by ojemine at 5:20 AM on April 14, 2016


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