Lawrence History Live
Lawrence History Live! was created in 2008 to give labor history, labor education, and the unique immigrant experience of Lawrence a much more prominent place in the Bread and Roses Heritage Festival.
In a tent right in the center of things, we have seats and a platform set up where historians, writers, union representatives, artists and relatives of families linked to strikers will present their insights on Lawrence's history. Lawrence History Live! also includes a segment on present-day issues facing Lawrence’s and the nation’s workers. In a question-and-answer format, festival visitors are able to participate and contribute their views The schedule is from 12:30 to 4:00 PM.
Topics and themes of past years have included:
- The Fall of the Pemberton Mill
- Epic of the Mega Mills
- Arrest Records of 1912 Strikers
- Lawrence in the WPA Guide
- An Immigrant’s Journey from Home Care Worker to Community Leader
- Bread and Roses and Social Movements
- The Shaw Warehouse Workers Job Action
- and many more.
* For questions, comments, or more information please feel free to contact Jurg Siegenthaler, jsieg@american.edu
2012 Schedule (2013 Schedule coming soon)
| 12:30 | Dan Ahearn, reading his poem, “The City of Cloth” |
| 12:35-1:00 |
Jonas Stundza, on the history and significance of the three 1912 Strike victims' grave-site memorials Guest: Carol Fernandez, relative of Jonas Smolskas |
| 1:00-1:30 | Robert d'Attilio, on Arturo Giovannitti, poet and leader of the 1912 Strike |
| 1:30-2:00 | Rev. Robert Murphy, on "Bread and Roses: Environmental Justice in 1912" |
| 2:00-2:45 |
Ramón Borges-Mendez, Clark University, on the Context of Latino Immigration to Lawrence after the 1960s Guests: Members of the communitye who came to Lawrence after the 1960s tell the story of their experience Isabel Melendez, Community Center For The People Annia Lembert Francisco Brea, AFL-CIO and others |
| 2:45-3:15 |
Union activists and members report on their current job actions |
| 3:15-3:45 | Steve Thornton, on the IWW's immigrant reality and modern-day immigrants and union |
Sponsored by the Bread & Roses Heritage Committee, Inc.
Jurg & Linda Siegenthaler, organizers
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HISTORY EXHIBITORS ON THE COMMON
American Textile History Museum
The American Textile History Museum (ATHM) in Lowell tells America’s story through the art, history, and science of textiles. ATHM offers a wide range of educational programs. Visitors to the museum can view the permanent exhibits and visiting exhibits. www.athm.org
Barre Historical Society, Inc.
When the children of the striking textile workers of Lawrence needed to be housed and cared for in 1912, the immigrant workers from Barre, Vermont enthusiastically met their needs. To this day, Barre cares for and remembers Lawrence. Chet Briggs, President of the Barre Historical Society and Karen Lane, Treasurer, bring to Lawrence some of their extraordinary labor history that links Barre and Lawrence. They are also responsible for restoring and preserving the Old Labor Hall built by members of Barre's Italian community. Old Labor Hall is now a national Labor Landmark. Chet Briggs and Karen Lane are the 2012 recipients of the Bread & Roses Hall of Fame award. www.Oldlaborhall.com
Friends of Lawrence Heritage State Park
The Friends of Lawrence Heritage State Park support the park and its activities. They raise funds to sponsor historic programs, park maintenance and improvements. In addition to giving out tickets for the free trolley tours, the “Friends” tent has information about the Festival, the Park, and the Bread and Roses Strike. Also showing a 20-minute video about the Strike. And selling T-shirts, videos and other merchandise. www.lawrenceheritage.org
Lawrence History Center
Since 1978, the mission of the Lawrence History Center is to collect, preserve, share, and interpret the history and heritage of Lawrence and its people. To commemorate the Centennial of the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912, the History Center mounted a bilingual exhibit, "Short pay! All out!" that outlines the strike's specifics, including its beginnings, aftermath, and implications. The exhibit opened on the 6th floor of the Everett Mill (15 Union Street, Lawrence) on January 12, 2012 – the day and location where the strike began - and will remain open until September 30, 2012. The exhibit is open on Labor Day from 2:00-4:00pm. Regular exhibit hours are Thursday through Saturday: 11:00am - 3:00pm or by appointment by calling 978-686-9230. www.lawrencehistory.org
Lawrence Public Library and Friends of the Lawrence Public Library, Inc.
The Lawrence Public Library, founded in 1872, offers a wide range of services, collections, and cultural activities to the entire community. The local history collection is an outstanding resource. Information on the free 2012 fall music series will be available. www.lawrencefreelibrary.org
Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council
The Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council, chartered by the National AFL-CIO, represents 35 local unions who represent more than 40,000 union members and families in the Merrimack Valley. The MVCLC ‘s goal is to improve the lives of working families in the Merrimack Valley; its members live in 32 cities and towns. Meetings are held monthly in Lawrence and Lowell to discuss issues of common interest and concern. The MVCLC is active in the community, building and organizing grassroots campaigns, and educating members about issues that affect their communities. www.mvclc.org
Power Loom, Lowell National Historical Park
Experience the noise, vibration, and complexity of a working power loom. Provided courtesy of the Lowell National Historical Park.
Sacco and Vanzetti Commemoration Society
The Saco and Vanzetti Commemoration Society exists to preserve the memory of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti’s struggle to radically change society. We want to educate our neighbors about Massachusetts’ radical history and draw connection between the struggles of Sacco and Vanzetti and similar struggles today. We stand against the death penalty and political persecution as well as the persecution and scapegoating of immigrants. For further information: www.saccoandvanzetti.org
Small Planet Communications, Inc.
Small Planet Communications, located in the historic Everett Mill in Lawrence, specializes in creating, shaping, and transmitting information—in any medium--for teachers and learners. The Great Strike, student edition, tells the story of textile workers in Lawrence who joined together to protest a pay cut in the winter of 1912.
By analyzing this historical event, students will develop an understanding of civic and economic issues that remain relevant today. This curriculum unit may be used as a supplement to a U.S. history unit on the Industrial Revolution or Progressivism, or as a stand-alone unit for exploring broader social studies themes and developing literacy skills. www.smplanet.com
1912 Strikers' Monument
1912 Strikers' monument, dedicated today at 1:30pm on the Campagnone Memorial Common, is a 30,000 pound stone with two artistically rendered bronze plaques created by sculptor Daniel Altshuler. The bronze plaques depict the textile strike of 1912 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The Strikers' Monument recognizes the courage and tenacity of the striking mill workers of Lawrence. Monument1912strike@hotmail.com
Theatre Espresso
Theatre Espresso creates, produces, and performs interactive dramas that bring history to life for students. Their work challenges students to make critical judgments, explore social relationships, reflect on the role of law and human rights in our society, and examine accepted truths about the history of America.
Their newest drama--American Tapestry: Immigrant Children of the Bread & Roses Strike--completed its 2nd year in residence at the Lawrence Heritage State Park Visitors Center in March 2012 with 18 performances in the fall for all Lawrence 5th graders and 18 performances for 8th graders, January - March 2012. American Tapestry explores the strike from the perspectives of children from immigrant families who worked in the mills and were part of the historic events of 1912 in Lawrence. www.theatreespresso.org
At the Lawrence Heritage State Park Visitor Center,
1 Jackson Street:
“Remembering Ralph Fasanella”
An exhibit of posters of Ralph Fasanella’s paintings presented by Stephen Lewis, SEIU Local 509. This exhibit is on display until October 31 in the community room of the Lawrence Heritage State Park.
“Lawrence: City of Workers”
The permanent exhibit on the history of the City of Lawrence.
Passport medallion rubbings: 20 large copper passport medallions, representing countries of origin of Lawrence immigrant groups, are available to make “rubbings” (chalk impressions on paper) until they are installed as public art in one of our parks.
Lawrence Heritage State Park Visitor Center; 1 Jackson Street; Lawrence, MA 01840.
Open Daily, 9am to 4 pm; Free admission, fully accessible.
For information: Ph: 978-794-1655 email: lawrence.heritage@state.ma.us
Or visit our website: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/lwhp.htm