By Shana Thornton
In honor of National Cat Day, October 29, we’re sharing cats from the Customs House Museum’s Collection. And, surprise, we’ve rounded up some stories and pictures of the museum staff’s feline family members, too.
Pictured above: Always living in the old Customs House post office, you will find the cast iron black cat, which was made at the Clarksville Foundry. Donated by Lucy and Frances Cooke.
Cats in the Customs House Museum’s Collection
The above postcard on the left was postmarked CLARKSVILLE, OCT. 30, 1922. Donated by Montgomery Davie. Postcard on the right is from circa 1910 – 1920. Donated by Dorothy C. Winn.
Two historical photographs in the Customs House Museum show cats. On the left, below, is Nora Witzel’s cat. Photograph taken circa 1933, Donated by Mrs. Tom Baddley.
Above right, this photo from an unknown photographer in the collection, circa 1895 – 1910, includes this description: “A black and white photo of three women wearing large hats and holding round fans. Women are standing outside with a suitcase and a cat in front of them. Verso reads: ‘Stella Nichols/ Eunice Morrison.'” Donated by Mary Bates Eager.
Bathed in warm sepia tones, the untitled watercolor by Barbara Beach, painted circa 2008 (pictured below), captures a moment of quiet mystery—a striped cat perched on a wooden chair, gazing past a pair of garden boots as if guarding a secret. The earthy palette and subtle shadows lend the scene a rustic elegance, inviting viewers to imagine the story behind the moment. Donated by Barbara Beach.
A fun item in the collection is this kid’s cat toy. Made of tin lithograph, most likely by Louis Marx & Co., circa 1935, 24cm. in length. Donated by Martha Roberts.
Customs House Museum’s Staff & Their Cats
The Customs House Museum’s collection contains vintage postcards and greeting cards for almost every holiday and celebration, including many from Halloween.
Stacy Mobley, Events Manager, and Bowie.
“This is Bowie and he’s a rascal. We recently adopted Bowie from the Montgomery County Animal Shelter. My husband and I saw his picture on their website, and we knew we had to have him. He and my son (4) are best friends. His favorite spot in the house is in the front window, on the back of the couch, sunning. He loves to hide behind corners and attack as anyone walks by, including the dogs. He loves a full food bowl and fresh out of the fridge water, only the best. He’s a good boy though.” – Stacy Mobley
Laura Cagaoan, Visitors Services Manager, has two beloved cats, Salem and Hella.
Kim Raines, Visitor Services Associate, and Marie, who will be 10 years old in 2026.
Eric Shanley, Facilities Manager, Spaz and Rusty. “Spaz was born in my house but adopted by my cousin who took him to live in three different states before he finally got back to me and is here to stay. He is 16 years old. Rusty was found in a bush at apartments where I used to work and I couldn’t let the 1-pound tabby go another night outside. He is now 7.” – Eric Shanley
Frank Lott, Executive Director, and Lucy Lu Lott
“She’s a 6-year-old calico with a lot of personality. We are her humble servants.” – Frank Lott
D.C. Thomas, Marketing & Publications Designer, and Cheddar
“This is Cheddar. 🧀 My husband and I named her after a tiny piece of cheddar cheese—golden, warm, and incredibly small, with ears bigger than her head. Seven summers ago, she was meowing at me from a crate at the Pet Food Center on Lowes Drive. Someone had found her outside, her tiny paws burned from the hot asphalt. It was love at first sight. We walked in for dog food and left with a kitten.” – D.C. Thomas
“A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.” ― Ernest Hemingway
Shana Thornton is the Marketing & Media Manager and Managing Editor of Second & Commerce, the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s arts, history, and culture magazine. She is an author and publisher, Founder of the Clarksville-Montgomery County African American Legacy Trail, and the Montgomery County Deputy Historian.