On Thursday, April 15, the Russian History Museum presented its inaugural Collecting Stories conversation. Collecting Stories is a new program in which curator Nick Nicholson and other members of RHM staff are able to have live, in-person conversations with collectors, curators, scholars, and notable members of the Russian diaspora. These informal conversations are designed to be participatory, and to allow our far-flung community access to some of the most unique stories, experiences, and objects.
Nick began the series with an exclusive conversation with Dorothy McFerrin and Jennifer McFerrin Bohner, collectors and keepers of the McFerrin Collection. The McFerrin Fabergé Collection, currently numbering over 600 pieces, is among the largest private collections of Fabergé in the world.
Nick spoke to the McFerrins about their collection, their favorite works, and their particular interest in pieces with strong stories and imperial provenance. The McFerrins gave our audience a special look at their new exhibition at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and regaled us with stories like this one which connects Malcolm Forbes, Marrakesh, Elizabeth Taylor, Nicholas II and Fabergé: