Lowell, MA –The American Textile History Museum has completed its ambitious $3.9 million fundraising campaign in preparation for the Museum’s renovation and grand re-opening in the coming months, ATHM President and CEO Jim Coleman announced at the Museum’s recent meeting of the Board of Trustees.
The “Campaign for the American Textile History Museum” was launched two years ago, with a goal to raise $1.5 million to fund the Museum’s renovation, $1 million for its endowment, and $1.4 million for operating costs. The Campaign officially met its goal on August 31.
“We are honored and deeply grateful to the generous donors who share our passion and recognize the importance of our mission as we take this important institution into the future,” Mr. Coleman said. “Their generosity is enabling us to preserve, protect, and provide public access to the ATHM collections, renovate the Museum’s core exhibition, and build and ensure its future through endowment.”
Hard Hat Tour
The American Textile History Museum tells America’s story through the art, history and science of textiles. The Museum has been closed to the public since July 2007 to create a new and interactive core exhibition, Textile Revolution: An Exploration through Space and Time. Mr. Coleman said the new visitor experience will include simulating a parachute jump from a real single-engine plane, designing a clothing line on a computer, and exploring the revolutionary “shark skin” suits worn by Olympic swimmers in Beijing. New exhibits will explore how textiles are changing the world, from protective clothing for firefighters and soldiers to clothes made of recycled wood, crude oil, or plastic soda bottles.
The $1 million raised for the endowment was matched by Deborah S. Pulliam, a noted textile artist, historian and writer from Maine. Sadly, Ms. Pulliam passed away only days after the endowment goal was met in May 2007. A Museum endowment has been established in her name, and a knitting display in the renovated exhibit will be named in her honor.
The Museum staff and board were thrilled with the response of community members and textile professionals and enthusiasts who made the campaign a success.
Among those donors were Timothy P. Horne, former President and CEO of Watts Water Technologies in North Andover, and his family foundation. The Horne family has strong ties to the textile industry: Watts Water had its beginnings as Watts Regulator Company, which in the late 1800s patented steam regulator valves essential for operation of the textile mills in Lawrence and Lowell.
“The textile industry is part of the historical fabric of our region and our country, and it is important to preserve that history and educate our children about its humble beginnings in the Merrimack Valley,” Mr. Horne said. “The American Textile History Museum plays a vital role in this, and we are very excited to see what the new museum has in store.”
The Museum this year also received private and public grants including a $37,500 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Facility Fund for marketing initiatives associated with the grand opening of the Museum’s new core exhibition.
The 1772 Foundation awarded ATHM a $55,000 grant for renovations to its new core exhibition, in keeping with the Foundation’s mission to preserve and enhance American historical entities for future generations to enjoy.
“The textile industry, particularly in the 19th century, has been so critically important to the growth and success of our country,” said Stanton Geary, President of the 1772 Foundation. “We are proud to support the American Textile History Museum, which does such an amazing job preserving and honoring the great history and collections of this important industry.”
Under the direction of ATHM Director of Advancement Linda Carpenter, the Campaign for the American Textile History Museum was led by Co-chairs Ruth B. Ward and Kenneth J. McAvoy, ATHM Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Honorary co-chairs were Edward B. Stevens and Samuel S. Rogers. The campaign committee included ATHM Trustees Marlene Marchilena, Peggy Church, Richard Candee, Roe Smith, Karl Spilhaus, David Webster, and Jan Russell.
