In a message dated 6/13/03 6:05:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Hi Jeri,
It suddenly struck me that I don't have the faintest idea what the Lace and
Embroidery Resource Center is. Please enlighten me.
Thanks, Patty Dowden
>>
-
Dear Patty (and Toni) and Lacemakers in the U.S.:
For too long, I've not had the courage to share this subject with Arachne.
But, I'm getting older and some "systems" are not what they once were. In a
controlled panic, because my energy level is slowing down - here is your
answer. Long, but not *all the little details*.
What is the Lace and Embroidery Resource Center? You will see the answer is
simple. The reasons are complicated.
Answer: Books directly related to lace and embroidery, and others that
support the subject of lace and embroidery -- two very fine arts that are often
married to each other in the same object of textile art, and are not adequately
explained in museum exhibitions or study collections.
There are 3,000+ books on my library shelves devoted to the subjects of lace,
embroidery, costumes, textiles, quilting that includes lace and/or
embroidery, history of women connected to textile arts, how to teach, conservation and
restoration, sewing, color theory, interior decorating that uses lace and
embroidery, antiques. There are also books referred to in the bibliographies of
these books -- making it easier to find original sources. There is even a
complete 19th C. Encyclopedia Britannica so that if one is reading an antique book,
it is possible to go back to a reference of that time. In addition, there
are complete collections of the magazines of some of our lace and embroidery
organizations, and partial collections of others. In the category of "lace"
there are over 500 book titles.
Reasons: Perhaps you will think this resource was built so it could be
auctioned off by my estate? Or, so I could sit down to read a different book each
day of the year? It was built so that if my ideas of what we should have in
America came to be, it could be donated to further the understanding of lace
and embroidery - and women.
Maybe 3 years ago, I wrote to Arachne and asked if anyone was interested in a
lace resource center in the US. That was a gentle "feeler". There were less
than 10 responses from a list of about 1,000. My question was about one
paragraph long (a dear friend said you would delete a long posting). I thought
there would be many questions. But, since little interest was expressed, why
would I go on to explain the larger concept? Each responder wanted such a place
within a short driving distance of her home! In a country the size of the
US!
My habits are to think big, and think ahead! I have made lists of ideas
over a 25-year period. I am thinking of a
*fully-dedicated-to-lace-and-embroidery* International Museum of Lace and Embroidery
in the US! At least the size
and scope of the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts. I
have always thought it should be located within 25 miles of Interstate 95
(which runs North-South on the Eastern Seaboard). Over time, I've concentrated on
thinking of the area south of Philadelphia -- Pennsylvania or Delaware - not
an inner-city area, but one that might be called suburban. This would be near
an international airport, and other complimentary museums and schools that are
training young people in the textile arts and museum sciences. There are
alternate entertainment possibilities in the area for men and children, so they
can go their way for the day and people interested in lace and embroidery can
come our way. There are accommodations in the area to suit pocketbooks of
varying sizes. I have discussed this at length with people in a position to be
interested, some of whom you would recognize by name - and (think about it)
these discussions began about 25 years ago! Lots of good wishes and encouraging
words, but... Am I to conclude that I am the only one who would financially
support such an ambitious project? It may be distasteful to discuss, but
millions of dollars are needed to fund such a facility.
Women must think big on this one. Our country has been a magnet for people
from all nations. We have no one large public place where the laces and
embroideries they have brought with them can be studied and compared to get a better
grip on the history of women as told through lace and embroidery. You will
remember one of my memories - of how Joan Edwards taught me to "read the story"
a sampler was telling. Other textile artifacts tell stories, too - the
symbolism has meaning, the purpose of the article has meaning, the materials used
have meaning, etc.
To the few men on this list: I acknowledge you and the men who have made
contributions to lace in the present and past. You know, as do I, that on this
subject it is primarily women who need to support the idea, or it is
