From the Executive Director

Dear Members,

Working at Tudor Place one learns that there is much yet to be
discovered about life in earlier times. What we are uncovering
challenges our past assumptions and drives us to further research. The
discoveries reported on in the cover story are just one of the reasons
Tudor Place makes history “real.”

A major effort is underway to assess one of the country’s largest
textile collections in a small museum. Undertaken by textile
conservator, Julia Brennan, the comprehensive assessment includes
rehousing the collection. This effort will result in more appropriate
storage of this important collection.

The drain line replacement is underway with massive holes dug in the south lawn for water tanks and outflow tanks that will handle rainwater from the roof of the house. While a real mess at the moment of writing, we expect to have everything back in place by the Spring Garden Party.

School groups, in particular a large number of kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students, are visiting the site for educational programs. At the same time, the older students benefit from an experience with history unlike any other. As one teacher from Winstor Educational Center writes, "It is important for inner city children: children who never leave their neighborhoods be exposed to the history and monuments of the city they live in. Just seeing Tudor Place gave the children/students insight into lives of people other than themselves. The children didn't stop talking about the period of clothing during the bus ride back to school." With this statement and so many others like it, we know we are fulfilling our mission to education.

I hope you will have the opportunity to visit during the spring months. The garden is just beautiful and you'll see restoration work in progress.

Sincerely,

Leslie L. Buhlers

Textile conservator Julia Brennan examines and admires a c1830 Kashmir paisley shawl in the textile collection.