ATHM Begins Renovations

The Lowell, Mass.-based American Textile History Museum (ATHM) has begun the construction phase of its core exhibition renovation after having reached 88 percent of its $3.9 million Campaign for the American Textile History Museum fundraising goal. The museum expects to fully meet its fundraising goal by the end of 2007.

“Thanks to the success of the fund raising efforts and the approval of our Board, we are right on target with construction,” said James S. Coleman, president and CEO, ATHM. “We began the demolition phase in September, and if everything goes according to plan, we’ll look towards a soft opening of the renovated core exhibition during March/April followed by a series of grand reopening events later in the spring.”

The renovated Textiles In America core exhibit will include a 35-seat theater that will show an introductory video; a pre-industrial section that will include a flock of faux sheep and a cotton field; 20th- and 21st-century displays of fibers used in a wide range of textile applications, and an extreme textiles area showcasing present and future textile innovations related to space, sports, fire protection, medicine and industry, among other areas.

October 16, 2007