Show Featuring Long-Lost Artifacts Kicks Off with Public Reception

UMass Lowell Image

08/05/2015

Contacts: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu and Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

* M E D I A A D V I S O R Y *
Thursday, Aug. 6, 5:30 p.m.

WHAT: A large cache of historic artifacts that tells the story of Portuguese immigrants’ life in Lowell more than 100 years ago will be unveiled in a new exhibit that will begin with a free reception open to the public.

“The Lure of the Spindle: The Portuguese in Early 20th Century Lowell” will showcase the lives of immigrants at work and play and explore their devotion to their families, faith and neighborhoods. The exhibit aims to bring together the Portuguese-American community to celebrate its heritage and share this rich history with the public and school groups of all ages.

The free exhibit, which will run through December, was inspired by letters, passports, photographs and visas that were recently uncovered inside Lowell City Hall and donated to UMass Lowell. The university’s Saab-Pedroso Center for Portuguese Culture and Research and UMass Lowell Center for Lowell History are presenting the exhibit in partnership with Lowell National Historical Park.

The Holy Ghost Marching Band of Lowell, an ensemble of Portuguese-Americans who play traditional folks songs and other music, will kick off the reception with a performance and parade that will lead guests from the outdoor amphitheater at Boarding House Park to the exhibit inside Boott Cotton Mills Museum next door. Speakers are scheduled to include Prof. Frank Sousa, director of the Saab-Pedroso Center, Lowell National Historical Park Superintendent Celeste Bernardo and Lowell Mayor Rodney Elliott.

WHERE: Boott Cotton Mills Museum, 115 John St., Lowell. Contact UMass Lowell media relations for directions and parking information.