Collaboration
highlights
textile museum
The Last Green Valley, Inc. will explore The Windham Textile & History Museum, 411 Main Street, Willimantic, for its next Historical Collaboration Dec. 9.
Bev York, the museum’s director of education, will be the host as we tour the museum housed in the former headquarters of the American Thread Company. The facility includes a vast collection of the region’s textile and mill history, an archive and a research library. Through its exhibits, programs and collections the museum preserves and interprets the history of textiles, textile arts and the textile industry with a special focus on the
experiences of the workers who powered the mills with their labor.
TLGV began Historical Collaborations as an effort to bring together organizations and individuals who care for the rich history of the national heritage corridor. TLGV Executive Director Lois Bruinooge said the meetings are wrapping up their second year and have been a great way to help build the capacity of all the organizations who participate.
“We began these meetings to both showcase the incredible history here in The Last Green Valley and to help history-minded organizations, many of which are all-volunteer, connect and share their expertise with one another,” Bruinooge said. The more we all meet and share our stories, the more we can work together and share the story of the national heritage corridor.” Savings Institute Bank & Trust sponsors the quarterly meetings, which are free for all attendees. “We’re a proud supporter of The Last Green Valley,” said Rheo Brouillard, Savings Institute Bank & Trust president and CEO. “The organization’s programming helps educate residents about the rich history and offerings of the national heritage corridor. They also put a focus on local businesses and local agriculture that we support whole-heartedly. We all live in a special region and we want to ensure it stays that way for future generations.” The event begins at 10 a.m. with introductions and the tour will begin by 10:30  a.m. There will be a discussion and Q&A session after the tour with light refreshments.
 “The Last Green Valley is a microcosm of all of American History,” said York. “Things that happened in the history books aren’t just everywhere else. They are right here.”