Temporary exhibit in three parts: Dyed in the Wool: Explore the fascinating history of textile dyes in this three-part series, covering everything from colonial times to the modern day.
Part 3 of our Dyed in the Wool exhibit, Modern Matters, opened on October 16th. It focuses on modern dyeing techniques, as well as the ecology of textile dyes and fast fashion. The textile industry is third in the world for freshwater consumption, and while there are new technologies being developed to reduce water usage, change is slow. As consumers it’s important to know that we too can help mitigate water and material waste by using our clothes as long as possible by repairing and repurposing them, and by donating gently used clothing to organizations that will get them to people who can continue to use them. Together we can help care for our planet and our community!
Part 2, From Farm to Factory, opened on September 4th, with an opening reception on Saturday, September 5th. This phase of the exhibit explored synthetic dyes and their influence on the textile industry. Scheduled events included a talk on the History of Indigo on Sunday September 6th.
The first part, Plants and Plantations, ran from July 3rd through August 30th and featured natural dyes created from plants, minerals, and even bugs!
Permanent Exhibit: Thread City: The Rise and Fall of the Connecticut Textile Industry. This exhibit located on the ground floor of our main building focuses on Willimantic as an example of the rise and fall of industrial Connecticut.
Thread City is divided into five charettes. The first, “Age of Homespun,” introduces visitors to how people in Connecticut made textiles—thread and cloth—before 1793, when the American Industrial Revolution began. Other charettes examine the advent of industrialization; the role of labor; the building of industrial communities; and, finally, the decline of industry in the twentieth century. The entire exhibit is built out of artifacts owned by the Museum, which have mostly been in storage.