Threads of History: Exploring Maine's Textile Past

Collaborative programming exploring Maine textile history in and around Brunswick and Topsham. May 9 - September 1, 2017

(Click links below for more information and dates.)

{slider="Threads of History: A Contemporary Take" Reception: Sunday, July 23, 1:30-4 p.m. All welcome!}

An exhibition at Maine Fiberarts with artwork and artifacts by: Chris Antonak, Elizabeth Berkana, Kate Brinsmade, Barbara Burns, Crystal Cawley, Janet Conner, Stephanie Crossman, Henry D'Alessandris, Richard Lee, Roslyn Logsdon, Arlene Morris, Nan Heldenbrand Morrissette, Gail Skudera, Barbara Taylor, Jill Snyder Wallace, and Donald Talbot. On view May 9-September 1, 2017.

Reception: Sunday, July 23, 1:30-4 p.m.
Gallery Hours: Wed.-Friday, 11-4; Saturday, 11-2{/slider}

{slider="A Walk through Brunswick Textile History" led by Candace Kanes}

Historian Candace Kanes will lead a walk along Maine Street, Brunswick pointing out the locations of fiber-related businesses: corsetieres, dressmakers, milliners, seamstresses, tailors, and dry goods stores covering the period from 1825 to 1930. Discussions will address why women, especially, operated small businesses, shops, or engaged in the dress, hat, and corset-making trades, and how their activities (as well as those of men in the fields) shaped the Brunswick and Topsham communities for many years. A brief overview about commercial textile manufacturing in Brunswick will also be explored.

Logistics: This is a 60-minute walk; less than one mile along Maine Street, Brunswick, with occasional benches to rest upon.
Meet: By the clock at the front of the Tontine Mall in Brunswick at 5:30 p.m. Park in the municipal lot behind Little Dog Coffee Shop or Senters, or along Maine Street, Brunswick.
Date: Thursday, July 27, 5:30 p.m. (Rain date: Saturday, July 29, 10 a.m.)
Fee: $7/person {/slider}

{slider=Tour of Maine Woolens—a Brunswick weaving mill—led by Raymond Boschold, president, Maine Woolens}

An hour-long tour of a working weaving factory. See all phases in the production of woven cloth: from yarn on the creels, dressing of looms, weaving woolen fabric for blankets and throws, serging, finishing, washing, drying and packaging. Maine Woolens has a retail store located at 122 Main Street in Freeport selling blankets, household goods and woven fabric remnants. (Great for sewing into garments!) However, this tour takes place in Brunswick at the mill where items are made. Join us!

Date: Wednesday, August 9, from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Meet: At the entrance to Maine Woolens, located at 15 Paul Street, Brunswick.
Directions: Traveling north on I-295, take Exit 28/Brunswick onto Pleasant Street. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Church Road. Travel 50 yards to first left onto Paul Street. Travel another 50 yards and turn right into Maine Woolens' parking lot. (They are located behind Tucker Ford on Pleasant Street). Parking is limited; please carpool.
Fee: Tickets available from Maine Fiberarts: $10 for members/$15 for nonmembers.{/slider}

{slider=Historic Textile Mills at Brunswick and Topsham—an illustrated lecture by architectural historian Scott Hanson}

Scott will talk about the development and history of the significant and important textile mills that once employed large numbers of people in Brunswick and Topsham. From small wool carding mills in the 1820's through the massive brick Cabot cotton mill, built between 1895 and 1923, textile production played an important role in the community's growth and prosperity for more than a century.

Date: August 16, 6-7:30 p.m.
Location: Highlands Community Meeting Room at the Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road, Topsham 04086
Free and open to the public.{/slider}

{slider=Hidden History Tour, held in collaboration with Pejepscot Historical Society}

Maine Fiberarts will be one of twelve destinations on this Hidden History Tour. Tour the Cupola at Pejepscot Historic Society, Growstown School, Riley Insurance, Naval Air Museum, Union Church, Tarr-Eaton House, Topsham Fire Station, Whitten House and others.

Date: May 20, 2017
Fee: Tickets available through Pejepscot Historical Society, Brunswick. {/slider}

{slider=Log Cabin Fabric Quilting: A Workshop led by Stephanie Levy}

Hands-on piecing and machine sewing workshop offered by the talented Stephanie Levy, who creates quilts, garments, and “potholder” rugs using carefully-saved fabric scraps. Learn to design, prepare strips of fabric, and machine sew a 10-inch square for use in making quilts, potholders, bags or garments. Stephanie’s technique is fast and organized so that creating beautiful quilts are not out of reach.

A supply list will be sent to students registering (sewing machine, notions, washed and ironed fabrics in a range of darks and lights), and we’ll have ironing boards, irons, cutting boards and extension cords on hand. Learn an historical technique for use in contemporary work.

Date: Saturday, July 22, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Class fee: $45 for members of Maine Fiberarts; $60 for others. Everyone is welcome. A very fun class! FMI: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 207-721-0678. {/slider}

{slider="Wonderful Worumbo" a short video}

An original video created in 2011 by Maine Fiberarts to embellish a copy of a 1950's TV program found in the Worumbo Mill. The video highlights the lost “Made to Measure” industry at Lewiston’s Worumbo Mill. This video will be on a continuous loop during the Reception for "Threads of History: A Contemporary Take" at Maine Fiberarts, Sunday, July 23, between 1:30-4 p.m.{/slider}

{slider="Maine's Silk Industry: Famous from Coast to Coast" an illustrated talk with Jacqueline Field}

Jacqueline Field is a textile and dress historian and author. Her areas of expertise include the American silk industry. Her talk will focus on the Haskell Silk Company of Westbrook, a recognized leader in the field. Jacqueline is co-author of the award-winning book "American Silk 1830-1930." She has contributed numerous articles to local and national scholarly journals. A long time Portland resident, Jacqueline was born and educated in Scotland.

Date: Wednesday, August 30, 6-7:30 p.m.
Location: Morrell Meeting Room, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick
Fee: $10/person, payable to Maine Fiberarts{/slider}

{slider=Sponsors/Partners}

Maine Humanities Council, Alfred Senter Fund, Davis Family Foundation, Topsham Public Library and Maine Fiberarts’ members and friends.