For Immediate Release: March 22, 2023

Media Contact: Christine Freitas pr@osv.org Phone: (508) 347-0328

Old Sturbridge Village Returns to Publishing with New Release Needle & Thread: The Art and Skill of Clothing an Early 19th-Century Family

Sturbridge, M.A. – With more than 40,000 pieces in its collection, Old Sturbridge Village is returning to book publishing as a way to share more of its collection up close and personal. The first release will be this March titled Needle & Thread: The Art and Skill of Clothing an Early 19th-Century Family authored by curatorial and research staff Rebecca Beall and Derek Heidemann.   The title expands on the current exhibit at the Village of the same name running now through 2025. “It was a natural extension of the research we were doing for the exhibit,” says Heidemann. “There’s so much in our collection that we couldn’t display [in the exhibit,] and this allowed us to share more.”   The exhibit and book “explore the complexities of clothing acquisitions and care” for a 19th-century family, including laundry, ironing, sewing, and pattern making. They both feature sections on women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, accessories, and the tools needed to create and care for a family’s wardrobe. The book even features patterns drafted from garments such as caps, capes, stays, a skeletons suit, and suspenders, so readers can try their hand at making reproductions.    “This publication was the perfect opportunity to highlight the extraordinary breadth of Old Sturbridge Village’s textile collection and contextualize the intersection between domestic sewing and skilled needle trades through extant garments, accessories, tools, advice literature, and account books,” says Beall.   With support from the Communications and Retail departments in launching the effort, Heidemann plans to work with donors and trustees to establish a 5-year plan to share more of the museum's collection through publications. A few proposed future topics might include historic music, needlework and embroidery, tin smithing, and militia uniforms and equipment.   A book signing and talk is planned for March 25, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in the Stephen M. Brewer Theater at Old Sturbridge Village. Needle & Thread can be purchased in the museum’s retail shops, or call 508-347-0362, or by email at shop@osv.org). Retailers interested in carrying the book in their shops can also contact us at shop@osv.org for info. Every purchase in our shops supports the educational mission of Old Sturbridge Village.

MEDIA For b-roll, images, and interview requests, please contact Emily Klamm at eklamm@osv.org. About Old Sturbridge Village   Old Sturbridge Village, first opened to the public in 1946, is one of the country's oldest and largest living history museums, celebrating life in early New England from 1790-1840. It is the largest living history museum in the Northeast. Each year, more than 250,000 visitors interact with costumed historians, experience up-close demonstrations of early American trades, and meet heritage breed farm animals. Situated on 200 scenic acres, the Village is a collection of more than 40 historic buildings - including homes, meetinghouses, trade shops, working farms, restaurants, shops and three water-powered mills. Located just off the Massachusetts Turnpike and Routes I-84 and 20 in Sturbridge, Mass., Old Sturbridge Village is open year-round, but days and hours vary seasonally. Daily admission is: $28 for adults, $26 for seniors, $14 for College Students, $14 for children ages 4-17, children 3 and under admitted free. For details, visit https://www.osv.org/plan-your-visit/.     Old Sturbridge Village is also the managing partner of Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol, R.I. Members at OSV receive reciprocal membership at Coggeshall Farm Museum.

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