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| FALL BUS TRIP -- Seats Still Available ! | |
On Wednesday, October 6, the Mansfield Historical Society is sponsoring a bus excursion to Lowell, Massachusetts where we will explore the fascinating world of textiles! The tour will depart from the front of the Mansfield Historical Society Museum (954 Storrs Road) at 8:00 a.m. and will return at approximately 6:00 p.m. The leaves should be turning by then so it will be a lovely time for a trip. The morning will be spent at the American Textile History Museum. After a brief introduction and orientation by the museum’s Education staff, you can explore the museum at your own pace. And there is so much to see and do! The main exhibit, “Textile Revolution: An Exploration through Space and Time,” traces the history of America’s textile heritage from the early Native Americans through the Colonial period and the Industrial Revolution to the textile innovations of the 20th and 21st centuries. There are stunning examples of textiles through the centuries and the equipment used to produce them, including some operating machinery. Through interactive displays, video clips and more, you’ll learn how textiles are changing our world and their importance in our life. There is also a touring exhibition at the museum that examines the world of haute couture fashion. “High Style: Betsy Bloomingdale and the Haute Couture,” was organized by the FIDM Museum and Galleries at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. It includes 41 ensembles spanning from 1961 to 1996 that were owned by Betsy Bloomingdale, wife of department store heir and Diners Club credit card founder Alfred Bloomingdale. The works of nine fashion designers are represented: Hubert de Givenchy, Oscar de la Renta, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Marc Bohan for Dior, James Galanos, Yves Saint Laurent, Gianfranco Ferré for Dior, André Courrèges, and Adolfo Sardiña, along with related accessories and ephemera. According to Kevin Jones, the exhibit’s co-curator, “After being conceived by a master designer, artisans spend a minimum of 100 hours making each garment by hand; more than 800 to 1,000 hours for an elaborate gown.” A fascinating documentary film on haute couture fashion accompanies this exhibit. For those who are interested in coverlets, Curator Karen Herbaugh will conduct an optional 20 minute tour of the museum’s coverlet storage area. You will have a rare opportunity to view the museum’s vast collection of over 300 coverlets, all kept on rolls in a special motorized storage system. Following a buffet luncheon in the Gazebo Café at the museum, the afternoon will be spent at the Lowell National Historical Park. We will start at the Visitor’s Center, where we will view the movie, “Lowell: The Industrial Revolution.” This award-winning film presentation introduces visitors to the story of how people, technology, and capital came together to revolutionize textile production – and a way of life – in Lowell and other American cities. You may then choose from two tour options. The first option is a guided bus tour that travels by the mills and the downtown locks and canal structures. A park ranger will explain each site and the relationship of the river to the power and production of the industrial city. The second option is a tour of the Boott Cotton Mills Museum. This museum includes a 1920s weave room with operating power looms, plus interactive exhibits and video clips. Next door you can explore the history of “mill girls” and immigrants in a Boott Mill boardinghouse. This exhibit features a reproduction boardinghouse kitchen, dining room, and bedroom. (PLEASE NOTE: The trolley tour previously offered will not be available. The same tour will be given by a park ranger on our own bus.) The cost of the excursion is $63/person for members, $67/person for non-members. If you wish to tour the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, there is an additional admission fee of $6/Adult or $4/Senior (62 and over). For further information and to reserve your seat, please contact the Mansfield Historical Society at 860-429-6575 or mansfield.historical@snet.net. |