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Weaving Threads of Lace History

Did you know that the only American town that made bobbin lace at scale in our early republic was Ipswich Massachusetts? Alexander Hamilton’s papers record that over 40,000 yards of lace were made in one single year. Lace was an important political, economic, and fashion item in the 18th century. Hannah Adams the historian said about lace: “During the American revolutionary war, I learned to weave bobbin lace, which was then saleable, and much more profitable to me than spinning, sewing or knitting, which had previously been my employment.”

Join us at the Ipswich Museum to learn about how bobbin lace is made, the cultural and economic impacts of lace, and see artifacts of the Ipswich Lace industry era. We expect to have the largest gathering of lacemakers in Ipswich for over 200 years, some demonstrating the traditional Ipswich lace styles and others with contemporary lace examples. We are also part of the Gather Fiber Symposium series running in the Boston area this April.

Saturday, April 26, 2025 - 10:30 am - 4:00 pm
Invite Via Email

Location

Ipswich Museum

54 South Main Street
Ipswich, MA 01938 United States

Ipswich Museum

54 South Main Street
Ipswich, MA 01938 United States

54 South Main Street
Ipswich, MA 01938 United States
Saturday, April 26 - 10:30 am - 4:00 pm