The Institute of Museum and Library Services has given a grant—in the amount of $135,754 to Historic Newton, to help the local nonprofit preserve its massive textile collection.
Historic Newton has more than 3,500 textile objects—including clothing, accessories, bed linens and more—and has started on a three-year mission to inventory, research and digitize the materials.
“We are proud to be recognized for the worthiness of our project,” Historic Newton Executive Director Lisa Dady said. “Historic Newton’s collections include many evocative objects with close ties to regional history, capable of engaging visitors and awakening empathy and curiosity. We are eager to identify more of these ‘gems’ and put them to use in a full range of programs, exhibits, and online resources.”
Textiles are often big drivers of engagement among visitors, as tangible objects can connect us to history in ways words can’t.
One interesting item at Historic Newton is a red and green quilted coat that belonged to abolitionist and women’s suffrage activist Elizabeth Buffum Chace and was later worn by her daughter, Lillie Chace Wyman, who lived in Newton.
Another set—leg gaiters, earmuffs and puttees—belonged to World War I veterans and Italian immigrant Nicolas Lombardi, who raised his family in Nonantum.
The IMLS grant will fund Historic Newton’s work in producing a vast organized collection for an expanded, publicly accessible online catalog. For more information, visit www.historicnewton.org.