We are grateful to The Local Seen/PACTV for producing a wonderful segment on our Historical Clothing and Textiles Conservation Project. This feature highlights the significance of our remarkable historic clothing collection and the critical work being done to preserve it for future generations.The segment includes informative interviews with textile conservators Katy O’Donnell and Renee Walker-Tuttle, PAS Executive Director Patrick Browne, and PAS President Andrea Daly. Together, they provide an in-depth look at the project’s goals, challenges, and the exciting path forward.

We’ve included a snippet here, but invite you to watch the full segment and learn more about this transformative initiative by visiting the following link: https://youtu.be/7J3AInaEWnk. Thank you to The Local Seen/PACTV for helping us share the story of this important project with the community!

This past November, the Plymouth Antiquarian Society welcomed two esteemed textile conservators, Katy O’Donnell of KWO Textiles and Renee Walker-Tuttle of ConText LLC, to the Hedge House for a preliminary assessment of our remarkable historic clothing collection. Spanning over a century of acquisitions, this collection reflects the lives and stories of generations past. The conservators’ visit marks the first step in an ambitious effort to better preserve and exhibit these artifacts, with a comprehensive inventory reconciliation planned as a priority for 2025.

During their visit, the conservators conducted a detailed examination of storage spaces and cataloging practices. They assessed the cubic footage of storage areas, noted item types and quantities—from hats to shoes to garments—and identified potential risks such as environmental factors and pest vulnerabilities. Their initial recommendations include improvements to climate control, lighting, and safety measures, aligning with national conservation standards.

Beyond their on-site work, the conservators will provide PAS with a strategic roadmap for collection care and management. This plan will address improved storage solutions, workspace needs for cataloging textiles, and strategies for potential deaccessioning of duplicate or non-mission-aligned items. They will also share resources such as grant opportunities and connections to museum storage experts to help PAS implement these recommendations.

This project is essential for the long-term preservation of our historic clothing collection, one of PAS’s most significant cultural assets. By addressing current challenges and planning for future growth, including hiring a part-time Collections Manager, we are ensuring these artifacts can continue to educate and inspire. The inventory reconciliation in 2025 will be transformative, helping us better understand our collection and opening new opportunities for public engagement through exhibitions and educational programs. This initiative represents an exciting new chapter for PAS as we safeguard these irreplaceable pieces of history for generations to come.

The Plymouth Antiquarian Society’s 74th old-fashioned Summer Fair will be held on Saturday, August 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the historic Hedge House, 126 Water Street, Plymouth. Shoppers can browse the fair tables for attic treasures and collectibles, second-hand books, gifts, crafts, and vintage and contemporary jewelry. Some of Plymouth’s finest home cooks contribute fresh-made goods to the Bake Table. It all takes place under a tent on the Hedge lawn, making this a rain-or-shine event.

The Antiquarian Fair also features a raffle with chances to win a 10-ft. kayak with paddle, a tour and beer tasting for 10 people courtesy of Mayflower Brewing Company, kid’s bicycles, specialty-themed gift baskets, and more. Raffle tickets are now available at $1 each or 6 for $5 at the Antiquarian Society main office at the Hedge House. Call 508-746-0012 or email info@plymouthantiquarian.org to arrange a time to stop by and purchase your raffle tickets. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the event. The drawings will be held at 5 p.m. on August 24. Winners do not need to be present for the drawing but all prizes must be picked up in Plymouth.

The historic 1809 Hedge House will be open for tours during the event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 per adult, $5 per child, $5 for Plymouth resident adults, and $2 for Plymouth resident children. Members of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society are admitted for free.

All proceeds support the Plymouth Antiquarian Society’s mission to preserve and share local history. Founded in 1919, the Plymouth Antiquarian Society is Plymouth’s largest organization dedicated to preserving historic houses and landmarks. Serving as Plymouth’s historical society, the nonprofit organization interprets the community’s post-Pilgrim history in three historic museums dating from the late 17th to the early 19th century.

The Board of Trustees of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society are pleased to congratulate new Executive Director, Dr. Patrick Browne, on receiving the Anne C. Bailey Dissertation Prize of the Society of Civil War Historians. The SCWH recognized Patrick at their conference in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 20, 2024. 

The Anne C. Bailey Dissertation Prize is awarded biannually to the best dissertation that takes the U.S. Civil War era as its main focus. The prize committee praised Patrick’s dissertation, entitled, “Architects of Civil War Homecoming: Northern Relief Workers and Returning Union Veterans,” for its compelling argument and extensive research. 

According to Prize Committee Chairman, Dr. Kevin Adams of Kent State University, “Browne’s dissertation will become an essential study for specialists as we see it is likely to prompt a series of community studies throughout the North.” Patrick’s work focuses on northern civilians and their struggle to aid recently discharged Union soldiers during the thick of wartime crisis and in the years after the war.

Happy Preservation Month!

Preservation of our three historic houses is a year-round, often behind the scenes, effort but you can see a more visible project going on right now at the 1677 Old Harlow Fort House.

Work to replace the 1677 Harlow Old Fort House roof, and siding on the adjacent kitchen/bathroom building (ca. 1970), is underway. Reardon and Snow of Scituate is performing the work, and come highly recommended by our Preservation Committee for the work they have done with PAS in the past.

We are using approximately $19,000 from our “Harlow Tip Top Fund” to complete this much needed preservation. Additional repair priorities on windows, doors, and more identified in our 2024/2025 Systems Replacement Plan, will require approximately $34,000 more.

Will you consider donating to help replenish the Harlow Tip Top Fund? All gifts will help fund continued preservation of our historic and beloved 1677 Harlow Old Fort House. Your contribution provides vital support to our nonprofit organization, as we continue to care for our historic houses and collections, provide free educational programs, and create opportunities for community engagement.

Please click below to give online or send a check to P.O. Box 3773, Plymouth, MA 02361.

Thank you in advance for your continuing support!

Dr. Walter Powell, Interim Executive Director

The Plymouth Antiquarian Society is proud to participate in First Fridays Plymouth, an initiative highlighting arts and culture in the Plymouth Bay Cultural District. On the first Friday of every month (May through October) from 5 to 8 PM, our Spooner House Museum will be open for free mini tours.*

*Venue change – the Hedge House will be open for Friday, July 5th only. The Spooner House will not be open on July 5th.

Entry into this special opening will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the small size of the rooms, visitors may be asked to wait outside until space is available to enter. Thank you in advance for your patience!