In a grass roots effort to grow its endowment and ensure the preservation of its collections, The American Textile History Museum (ATHM) has launched Caring for Collections: The $1 Million Challenge.
"The Museum is home to the most significant textile history collection in North America, with an extraordinary library and one of the world’s largest and most important publicly held collections of tools, spinning wheels and hand looms,” said Jim Coleman, the Museum's Executive Director. “We have more than 5 million pieces of textile prints, fabric samples, rolled textiles, coverlets and costumes, and the work of acquisition, preservation, and exhibition of the collections is a major expense for the Museum. This effort to increase our endowment is specifically targeted towards the long term preservation of the collections so that Americans and others throughout the world can understand the important contributions textiles have made and continue to make to the fabric of American lives,” he said.
According to Coleman, The Maine Community Foundation (MCF) which has offered to match the $1 million raised at the Museum dollar for dollar, requires the Museum to raise $1 million by December 31, 2006 in order to receive the match.
"This is a short time frame and a sizable amount of money," said Coleman. "Therefore, large and small gifts are needed to meet this goal. The collections are at the core of our mission to tell America’s story through the art, science, and history of our textiles, and the Museum needs everyone’s help in this grass roots effort to ensure that the collections are sustained for present and future generations of textile enthusiasts," he said.
To pledge or make a gift, phone Marisa Tescione in the development office at 978-441-0400, ext. 246, or visit the Museum’s website, www.athm.org.
The American Textile History Museum tells America’s story through the art, history and science of our textiles. It is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive textile museum, and is located in the Kitson factory, built in 1860 to manufacture textile machinery.
The Museum is home to a nationally renowned collection of books and documents, tools and textile machinery, fabric samples, textiles, and costumes. Its collections come to life in the Textiles in America core exhibition, special exhibitions, and educational programs.
The Museum was founded in North Andover, MA in 1960 by Caroline Stevens Rogers, a hand-weaver and collector, and has been accredited by the American Association of Museums since 1973. Growing from a small regional facility to a nationally recognized cultural institution, the Museum moved to historic Lowell in 1997 to better serve the public.
The Museum continues its annual fundraising efforts to support the Museum’s ongoing operations, collections, development of new exhibitions, hands-on learning in the Textile Learning Center (TLC) and educational programs which serve over 8,500 area grade school students.
Exhibits and TLC are open during regular Museum hours: Thursdays and Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum is closed on holidays. Admission is $8 for adults; $6 for seniors, college students, children 6-16, and groups; free for children under 6 and Museum members.
The Museum, an Editors' Choice in the 2006 edition of the Yankee Magazine Travel Guide to New England, is located at 491 Dutton Street in Lowell, adjacent to the Lowell National Historical Park, 35 miles north of Boston off Route I-495. The building is wheelchair accessible, and parking is free. Telephone 978-441-0400. Web: www.athm.org.
Q&A
Why are the collections important?
The American Textile History Museum (ATHM) is home to the most significant integrated textile history collection in North America, with an extraordinary library and one of the world’s largest and most important publicly held collections of tools, spinning wheels and hand looms. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has designated our industrial machinery as a National Historic Engineering Heritage Collection.
The collections are at the core of our mission to tell America’s story through the art, science, and history of our textiles.
The clothing collection includes apparel and accessories from notable men and women, including former Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley and jazz singer Peggy Cone, while the primary focus of the collection is on everyday clothes and the stories of those who wore them. Our textile collection includes the Edie and Stan Ross Collection of American Coverlets, and the Martha Bayles Boyd Collection of paisley shawls. Approximately 5 million samples are part of the textile collection as well as an extensive collection of yard goods, coverlets, and other household items.
The Osborne Library for textile history research contains a unique and comprehensive collection of over 40,000 printed items, 46,000 images, and over 770 collections of business records and manuscripts.
Our renowned collections are featured in the core exhibition, Textiles in America, and in our school and scout programs, and special exhibitions. The staff is in the process of making significant portions of the collections available to the public on the internet.
Our experienced curators and librarians develop the collections by acquiring new objects and overseeing their care. The work of acquisition, preservation, and exhibition of the collections is a major expense for the Museum. By increasing the endowment, we will increase the interest funds available for this important and necessary work.
Who can help?
The Museum needs everyone’s help in this grass roots effort to grow its endowment, and ensure that the collections are preserved and sustained for present and future generations of textile enthusiasts. Large and small gifts are needed to reach our goal of $1 million, and to receive a $1 million match.
What is the $1 million match?
The Maine Community Foundation (MCF) has offered to match the $1 million raised at the Museum. This is a wonderful opportunity for the ATHM to double its money from this $1 million campaign for the care of the collections. In order to take advantage of this offer, the Museum must raise $1 million by December 31, 2006. A fund at the MCF, called the American Textile History Museum Fund has been established and designated to benefit the ATHM operations and collections in perpetuity.
How is the endowment fund managed?
The $1 million raised at the ATHM will be managed by our professional fund managers as part of our restricted permanent endowment. The $1 million in matching funds held at the Maine Community Foundation (MCF) will be permanently invested in the American Textile History Museum Fund managed by the MCF. Interest from these two permanently restricted funds, estimated at a total of $100,000 per year, can be used for operations and the care of the ATHM collections.
What is the time frame for raising the matching funds?
The Museum has a short period of time to meet the $1 million challenge since matching funds must be committed no later than December 31, 2006.
How do I donate?
There are three easy and convenient ways to donate.
1. Click on Donate Now at the Museum’s website.
2. Make check payable & mail to:
“ATHM MCF Match”
491 Dutton Street
Lowell, MA 01854
3. Phone Marisa Tescione in the development office at 978-441-0400, ext. 246.
How can I get more information?
Contact Director of Advancement, Linda Carpenter ext. 241.
