The item featured in the Early Summer 2009 newsletter is a sample of the first electric cable from the mainland to Cuttyhunk Island. Its core is hundreds of strands of copper 14 gauge wire surrounded with a 1/4 inch jacket of lead and asphaltum, around which is embedded steel 1/4" stranding. It was laid on the Buzzard's Bay connecting the Island to the mainland. It is about 4" in diameter.
The object featured in the Fall 2008 newsletter is a cast iron late 19th century match safe. The matches were kept in the compartment at the bottom and when you tipped the bird down, the barbed beak would catch the wooden match and bring it up to you. The back of the bird is a rough surface for striking and lighting the match. Very common object in a Victorian kitchen.