Project Changes
As Director, I first want to thank the readers of the blog for your contributions to our project “The Plimoth Jacket: A Paradise of Silk and Gold” and let you know of some changes at Plimoth Plantation which will directly effect it. By this time most of the stitchers and lacers involved in the project will have received a letter letting them know of what has transpired at the Plantation over the last three months. You may have heard that Plimoth Plantation has recently restructured its operations in response to the deepening economic crisis. It required a reduction in force eliminating seven positions – several of which were involved with the Embroidered Jacket. Unfortunately, the budget and fundraising shortfalls have resulted in a canceling of the exhibit that was the impetus for the reproduction jacket.
Before lamentations begin, I want to assure you that the embroidered jacket will be finished. This restructuring means the completion of the embroidered jacket will need to be managed independently from Plimoth Plantation, and I am pleased to report that Tricia Wilson/Thistle Threads has agreed to accept this responsibility.
“The Plimoth Jacket: A Paradise of Silk and Gold” is an extraordinary project that has created great interest in the textile community. The change in our exhibit plans will not mean the end of the project; it will be one of Plimoth’s great objects – not unlike Mayflower II in many ways. Our plan is for Tricia to manage the completion, and then it will go on display for a period of approximately two years at a prominent museum, to be followed by becoming a permanent loan to another very prominent museum. Both museums are of international renown; and they are enthusiastic about the jacket, but our legal agreements are in process so we are not able to name these two institutions at this time. They are also interested in presenting symposia and other outlets to share the important knowledge this project has discovered/re-discovered.
As owner, Plimoth Plantation will continue to be the “fiscal agent” for the jacket, and contributions restricted to the purposes of the jacket will be fully honored. We will further make every effort to honor the individuals who participated in this recreation by way of labeling and other collateral material that will be displayed with the jacket as it moves to the host institutions.
Tricia has been busy scheduling the last sessions for the completion of the jacket. The sessions which have been announced are continuing forward as planned. I hope that these unforeseen changes will not dampen your enthusiasm for the project, which will still realize its goals albeit in a different time frame and venue.
As part of these changes, the blog will no longer be updated on this site but will be hosted by Tricia at www.thistle-threads.com/blog. Please continue to follow the progress of the jacket and research surrounding it by visiting it. New sessions, jacket progress, and research will all be posted at this new location.
We understand that many of you may be concerned about these changes, please do not hesitate to contact either of us with questions. Tricia can be reached at tricia@alum.mit.edu.
With every good wish,
Sincerely,
John McDonagh
Executive Director
