From the collection of:
The Kentucky Historical Society || VAM Home

Sideboys were placed on the deck next to the gangplank of a ship or on the quarterdeck as a ceremonial entranceway for visitors and dignitaries. These 150-pound carved wooden doors feature Navy symbols and the seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. They were made for the U.S.S. Kentucky, an 11,520-ton battleship commissioned in 1900 and used until 1909, then sold for scrap in 1924. The doors were never installed on the ship. At one time they served as doors at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Officer’s Club.

Classroom Ideas

Discussion: What are the symbols on the doors, and what is their significance? Compare these doors to other carved doors in the Virtual Art Museum, including the Three-Panel Granary Doors in the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art gallery and the Yoruba Doors in the Speed Art Museum gallery. Why would doors be an item people would want to embellish with carvings and symbols?

Activity: Design a door for your home or bedroom, using symbols that reflect you and your interests.

Links

See the article about the U.S.S. Kentucky in the Kentucky Encyclopedia (subscription required for online version).
[www.kyenc.org/perl/entry_result.perl?ID=KENTU03&words=U.S.S.%20Kentucky&SearchType=Full]