Big E - 2023

 photo by JT Lynch

It's that time of year again!  Visit New England's great state(s) fair in West Springfield, Massachusetts.  Behind the fife and drum corps band are some of the six replica statehouses from each New England state.  That's Rhode Island peeking out from behind the tree, and Massachusetts next to it.

It's a little end-of-the-summer world and for many of us, a family tradition.  Enjoy!

Dickens, and Christmas, come to New England

English novelist Charles Dickens came on a book tour to the U.S. in 1842, the first of his trips to America. He was already famous, but it was still some five years before A Christmas Carol was written.  While New York and other parts of the young United States were celebrating Christmas, New England at that time still did not observe the holiday; here Thanksgiving was the big day. In some small measure, the popularity of his yuletide ghost story would help bring Christmas to New England, one of several factors that turned the Puritan tide.

When he was in the Boston area, they took this former workhouse victim to Lowell to show him the factories.  We mentioned his excursion there in this previous post on mill girls.

When Dickens left Lowell, his next stop was Springfield, on February 7, 1842, when accompanied by his wife, he toured the Springfield Armory.   This was before the impressive iron fence was constructed around the Armory.  That was made at the Ames Company in Chicopee, and the project was started in the early 1850s and not completed until 1865.  We may assume at the time of Dickens’ visit, the cows of local farmers continued to stray across the quadrangle and the lawns of the Army officers’ quarters.  


After his brief tour of the Armory, Dickens traveled down the Connecticut River to Hartford aboard a steamboat.  We discussed that journey in this previous post.

Though Dickens apparently felt favorably toward Massachusetts, the United States on the whole did not impress him on that trip, and, of course, he was particularly angered and disgusted by slavery.  He wrote of his impressions in American Notes.  He had made two trips here in 1842, but did not return until after the Civil War, when in 1867 on his next trip, both the war and slavery were over.  

Something else was different, too.  New England had adopted the custom of celebrating Christmas.  He could see this for himself as he arrived in late November and remained for the following month, giving readings from his novels in Boston and in New York.

The following year, 1868, he returned for another book tour, this time commencing in February and returning to England in late April.  He gave his readings in Boston, New York City and upstate, as well as Washington, Philadelphia, and in Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.  He read from many of his books, including A Christmas Carol.

His first public reading of A Christmas Carol was on December 3, 1867 at the Tremont Temple in Boston. According to this article at the New England Historical Society website, his agent noted the audience reaction at the end of the first chapter:

When at least the reading of The Carol was finished, and the final words had been delivered, and "So, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us every one," a dead silence seemed to prevail -- a sort of public sigh as it were -- only to be broken by cheers and calls, the most enthusiastic and uproarious.

He spoke at Tilly Haynes’ Music Hall in Springfield on March 20, 1868.  For a long time, the Tilly Haynes Music Hall on Main Street was the only theater in Springfield, built in 1856.  It burned down in 1864.  Haynes rebuilt it, and in 1881, he sold out to Dwight O. Gilmore, who established Gilmore’s Opera House there, until it burned down in 1897.  Twentieth century audiences would remember this as the site of the Capitol movie theater that showed Warner Brothers films. That has long since been demolished and is now the site of One Financial Plaza.

He arrived here on the train during a snowstorm, and stayed at the Massasoit House (part of this building remains in the building that was later constructed in 1929 for the Paramount Theater).  The Music Hall was packed for his appearance, as he was probably the most famous author of his day.

The Springfield Republican reported,

“Mr. Dickens is not a reader... He is simply and emphatically a very natural and delightful actor, gifted with the power of throwing a whole personality into his face.” He spoke in the voices Scrooge, the Cratchits, Mr. Pickwick and other characters from his novels. “There walks on the stage a gentleman who gives you no time to think about him, and dazzles you with 20 personalities.” 

He was “slightly bent, in the street not a remarkably noticeable man.” His face “bears signs of incessant toil.”

The tour was successful, but has been described as grueling, and Dickens died only two years later in 1870 at the age of 58.  That year, President Ulysses S. Grant declared Christmas a national holiday.

We discuss two classic film versions of A Christmas Carol in my post “Mankind Was My Business” here at Another Old Movie Blog.

Washington's message on the Touro Synagogue

George Washington visited the oldest synagogue in this nation (founded in the 1600s) at Newport, Rhode Island.  His remarks on the Touro Synagogue are a reflection of, and support for, the new Bill of Rights.

“...every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.”

He wrote this in August 1790.

"For happily the Government of the United States gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.^"

He meant it.  We should mean it, too. 

Happy Hanukkah and blessings to all our countrymen of all faiths.

Ocean State Theatre Company Announces Auditions for the Coming Season - Warwick, Rhode Island

Ocean State Theatre Company ANNOUNCES

EQUITY AND NON-EQUITY ADULT AUDITIONS

FOR 2015-16 SEASON

Ocean State Theatre Company announces Open Equity and Non-Equity Adult Auditions for its 2015-16 Season at its state-of-the-art theatre located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, RI on Monday, August 10, Tuesday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 12, 2015. Performers must be available for all rehearsal and performance dates. Local talent is strongly encouraged to audition. All roles are open for the following productions: 

The Addams Family

Day and evening rehearsals/performances September 25 – October 25, 2015

*Note: All roles must be very strong actor/singers who move well. Ensemble must be strong dancer/singers. Please see website for casting breakdown.

Around the World in 80 Days

Day and evening rehearsals/performances October 20 – November 16, 2015

*Note: All roles require various global accents. Please see website for casting breakdown.

It’s a Wonderful Life The Musical

Day and evening rehearsals/performances November 17 – December 27, 2015

*Note: All roles must be very strong actor/singers who move well. Ensemble must be strong actor/singers who move well or strong dancer/singers. Please see website for casting breakdown.

NO CHILDREN WILL BE AUDITIONED AT THESE CALLS.

SEPARATE CHILDREN’S AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD AT A LATER DATE.

Breaking Legs

Day and evening rehearsals/performances January 12 – February 14, 2016

Please see website for casting breakdown.

1776

Day and evening rehearsals/performances February 9 – March 13, 2016

Please see website for casting breakdown.

The Miracle Worker

Day and evening rehearsals/performances March 15 – April 17, 2016

Please see website for casting breakdown.

NO CHILDREN WILL BE AUDITIONED AT THESE CALLS.

SEPARATE CHILDREN’S AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD AT A LATER DATE.

Anything Goes

Day and evening rehearsals/performances April 12 – May 22, 2016

*Note: All roles must be very strong singer/actors who move well. Ensemble must be strong actor/singers who move well or strong dancer/singers. Many small roles will be cast from the ensemble.

Please see website for casting breakdown.

The schedule for Monday, August 10 will be as follows:

9 am - 1 pm Singing Auditions (1-2 pm lunch)

2 pm – Dance auditions begin; 5 - 7 pm Actor only auditions (no accompanist provided)

The schedule for Tuesday, August 11 will be as follows:

9 am - 1 pm Singing Auditions (1-2 pm lunch)

2 pm – Dance auditions begin; 5 - 7 pm Actor only auditions (no accompanist provided)

The schedule for Wednesday, August 12 will be as follows:

9 am – 11 am Singing Auditions; 11 am Dance auditions begin;

11 a – 4 pm Actor only auditions (no accompanist provided)

Auditions will be held at Ocean State Theatre located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, RI. Those auditioning should enter through the main lobby doors and bring their headshot or a recent photo and resume (if available) securely stapled together (back to back).

Acting auditions: Please prepare two brief contrasting contemporary monologues. Note that there may be time to perform one selection only. Some may be asked to stay for cold readings. If interested in auditioning for singing and acting roles, please prepare one brief song and one brief contemporary monologue and attend the “singing” audition time-frame. No accompanist will be provided during the Acting Auditions.

Singing auditions: Please prepare two brief songs (one up-tempo and one ballad). Note that there may be time to perform one selection only. If interested in auditioning for singing and acting roles, please prepare one brief song and one brief contemporary monologue and attend the “singing” audition time-frame. Bring sheet music in the correct key; an accompanist will be provided, but will not transpose. No a cappella, tape recorders or CD players accepted. Some may be asked to stay for the dance call. Bring appropriate dancewear and “dance” shoes.

Dance auditions: Please be warmed up and ready to dance when the call begins. Wear appropriate dancewear and have ballet and character shoes. Some may be asked to stay and sing after all have danced. Please prepare 16 bars of an up-tempo musical theatre song. Bring sheet music in the correct key; an accompanist will be provided, but will not transpose. No a cappella, tape recorders or CD players accepted.

No appointments necessary. Members of Actors’ Equity may call to schedule a singing and/or acting appointment, please email Robert.Miller@ostcri.org. Equity Members without appointments will be seen throughout each audition day, as time permits on a first-come first-served basis. No appointment needed for dance audition. No appointments will be given to non-union actors. Doors open one hour before each audition.

Please Note: These auditions are for adults only (18 years and older).

        No children will be auditioned at this call. 

    Children’s auditions will be held at a later date.

There are no NYC auditions scheduled at this time. Additional information, character breakdowns and directions are available at www.OceanStateTheatre.org.

The theatre is required to hire a minimum of three members of Actors’ Equity Association for each show.

In both chorus musicals, an additional minimum of two chorus contracts are required.

All ethnic minorities are strongly encouraged to attend this audition. 

Christmas Feasts and Department Stores - Massachusetts and Rhode Island

It is ironic that in spite of the much bewailed commercialism of our modern Christmas holidays, we also have a nostalgic love for those enormous and elegant department stores of days gone by which fed us on the glamour of tinsel, garland, and our hearts' desires in gift wrapping.  Before there was there was the charge card or the debt, there was the escalator.

From Forbes & Wallace in Springfield, Massachusetts:

Providence, Rhode Island had Shepard's:

But if you were shopping for Christmas dinner, the First National chain in 1937 had prices that couldn't be beat, if you had a job.

But in 1941, with the U.S. only recently at war, a last celebration before the separations and the wartime shortages set in -- and Christmas dinner was truly at feast at Springfield's, Sheraton Hotel:

Thank you for time-traveling with me this year.  Best wishes to all who celebrate for a Merry Christmas, and to all a most joyous and peaceful New Year.

My Fair Lady - Piano Bar at the Ocean State Theatre Company - Rhode Island

 Mike Daniels, photo courtesy of the Ocean State Theatre Company

A recent notice from the Ocean State Theatre Company of Rhode Island:

2014-15 POST SHOW PIANO BAR SERIES AT OCEAN STATE THEATRE

KICKS OFF WITH “I COULD HAVE SUNG ALL NIGHT!”

WARWICK, RI – Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), which recently opened its third season in its new state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick, is proud to announce the kick off of this season’s Piano Bar Series. “I Could Have Sung All Night!” will be held following select Friday and Saturday evening performances of the company’s current production, My Fair Lady.

“The Piano Bar Series has become very popular with both audiences and performers,” said Amiee Turner, Producing Artistic Director of Ocean State Theatre Company. “Not only does it extend the evening for those who aren’t quite ready to go home, but it also provides an opportunity for the actors to ‘try-out’ new songs and showcase a different side of themselves, which may not have been revealed during the main stage performance.”

Following select Friday and Saturday evening performances, the theatre’s lobby will be transformed into an intimate performance space, at which patrons will be entertained by cast members, OSTC alumni, and staff members, while enjoying beverages and late night appetizers, which will be available for purchase from the theatre’s lobby bar.

“I Could Have Sung All Night!” will be hosted by Mike Daniels, who audiences will remember from his portrayal of Snetsky in OSTC’s Inaugural Season production of Fools, as well as his appearances in Children’s Festival productions of  How I Became a Pirate, The Fabulous Fable Factory, and Schoolhouse Rock Live! Musical accompaniment will be provided by the musical director for My Fair Lady, Esther Zabinski.

“I Could Have Sung All Night!” will be presented following Friday and Saturday evening performances of My Fair Lady on October 3, 4, 10 and 11. Attendance at the performance preceding the piano bar is not required. The lobby doors will open for the piano bar at 10:15 pm. The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Admission is free, but seating is limited, so reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling (401) 921-6800.

Tickets for all productions being presented as part of Ocean State Theatre Company’s 2014-15 Season are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon – 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon – 4:00 pm, and up until curtain on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS - Ocean State Theatre Company - Rhode Island

The delightful family stage musical MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, based on the 1944 movie, comes to the Ocean State Theatre Company in Warwick, Rhode Island, this December.  Have a look at their press release below for details and advanced ticket sales:

OCEAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES

TICKETS ON SALE FOR HOLIDAY PRODUCTION OF

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS

 

WARWICK, RI – Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) is proud to announce that tickets for their 2014 holiday production of Meet Me in St. Louis, which will be presented at their state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick, from December 3-28, will go on sale to the public on Tuesday, September 2.

 

“The response to last year’s holiday production of Miracle on 34^th Street was so tremendous, we thought our audiences would enjoy another classic musical for the holidays,” said Producing Artistic Director, Amiee Turner. “We had been considering including Meet Me in St. Louis in our main stage season but, with it’s warm family themes and the joyous Christmas scene that includes the classic carol “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” it just felt better suited for the holidays.”

 

Based on the heartwarming 1944 MGM film which starred Judy Garland, Meet Me in St. Louis is a wonderful classic from the golden age of musical comedy. Join the Smith family at the 1904 World’s Fair and see how their love and respect for each other is tempered with the genuine humor that can only be generated by such a close family. Memorable musical numbers include “The Boy Next Door, “The Trolley Song,” “Under the Bamboo Tree,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Meet Me in St. Louis is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays with the entire family!

 

Meet Me in St. Louis will be presented from December 3 – 28. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, December 3 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, December 4 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except 12/10 & 12/24) through Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Thursdays (except 12/18), Saturdays (except 12/6) and Sundays at 2:00 pm. (There are no performances scheduled for December 25.)

 

Subscriptions and single tickets for the 2014-15 Season, which includes Lerner & Loewe’s abso-bloomin’-lutely perfect musical, My Fair Lady, the classic murder mystery thriller, Dial M for Murder, Jeff Stetson’s compelling play, The Meeting, Jason Robert Brown’s musical masterpiece, The Last Five Years, the door-slamming farce, Lend Me a Tenor and Stephen Sondheim’s charming musical, Into the Woods, are also available.

 

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets for Meet Me in St. Louis are $39 for preview performances and $39-$54 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. $30 “Rush” tickets will be available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets will be available at the box office Tuesday through Friday from 12 noon – 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon – 4:00 pm, and up until curtain on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

 

Whale Rock - Rhode Island

This is Whale Rock, whose menacing, haunting presence taunts us at the entrance to Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.

It is all that's left of a lighthouse destroyed by the Hurricane of 1938.  In a sense, it has returned to its former self: a foreboding rock ledge, resembling a surfacing whale's back, that had been a threat to navigation until a lighthouse was established on this ledge in 1882.  There had been many shipwrecks before the light was built.

Photo National Archives

Then on September 21, 1938, the day the Hurricane of 1938 made its surprise attack (see our previous post on the storm here) , the lighthouse was destroyed.  Walter B. Eberle, the first assistant keeper on duty, was in the lighthouse during the storm.  His body was washed away and never recovered.

Today, Whale Rock is what it was, except with the addition of a lump of concrete caisson jutting up from the stubborn rock ledge.

For more on Whale Rock, have a look at this website.

Guys and Dolls - Ocean State Theatre Co. - Warwick, Rhode Island

This on the new Guys and Dolls production at the Ocean State Theatre Company:

OCEAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY

CONTINUES SUMMER SEASON WITH

TONY^® AWARD-WINNER GUYS AND DOLLS

 

WARWICK, RI – Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), which recently completed its first full season in its new state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick is proud to continue its summer season on July 9 with one of America’s most popular and successful Broadway musicals, Guys and Dolls, sponsored by Residence Inn by Marriott.

 

This Tony^® Award-winning musical based on the stories of Damon Runyon, soars with the spirit of classic Broadway when gangsters, showgirls, cops and missionaries all collide in Frank Loesser’s masterpiece - each character in search of salvation, true love and, of course, the perfect craps game! Join Nathan, Sky, Sarah and Miss Adelaide in what is considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy. Songs include “I’ll Know,” “Fugue for Tin Horns,” “Adelaide’s Lament,” “If I Were a Bell,” “Bushel and a Peck,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”

 

Ocean State Theatre Company is thrilled to welcome back director/choreographer Russell Garrett, who was at the helm for OSTC productions of Legally, Blonde: The Musical, 9 to 5: The Musical, Hairspray and The Full Monty. He will be joined by Justin P. Cowan, who music directed OSTC productions of Legally, Blonde: The Musical and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. In the roles of Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown are Tom Andrew of Somerset, MA, who recently appeared as Brian in OSTC’s production of Laughter on the 23^rd Floor and Westerly’s Rochelle Weinrauch, who will be making her OSTC debut. Medford, Massachusetts natives, Kevin B. McGlynn, who won rave reviews for his portrayal of Javert in OSTC’s Les Miserables and Katie Clark, who made her OSTC debut as Maggie in 42^nd Street, play opposite one another as Nathan Detroit and Adelaide and Matthew Eamon Ryan who made his OSTC debut in Les Miserables, returns in the role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson. Other local performers include Rachel Abbate of Norfolk, Brandon Alberto of New Bedford, Jeanine Belcastro of Lincoln, Alexis Berlinger of Cumberland, Lauren Gemelli of Norwell, David Groccia of North Providence, Daniel Guay and Desirée Justin of Fall River, Maria LaRossa of Boston, Devin Marchany of Providence, Brian Mulvey of Warwick, Peter Romagna of Burlington, Peter Williams of North Kingstown, Tobias Wilson of New London and popular local comedian Frank O’Donnell of North Providence, who will be making his professional theatre debut in the role of Big Jule.

 

Guys and Dolls will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from July 9 – July 27. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, July 9 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, July 10 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Special matinees are scheduled for Thursday, July 10 and Saturday, July 19. Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion hosted by WCRI’s Mike Maino, will follow the 2pm performance on Sunday, July 13. The post show Piano Bar Series, will continue with “Broadway Music and Comedy,” and will be held following Friday and Saturday evening performances (beginning at approximately 10:15 pm) in the theatre’s lobby on July 18, 19, 25 and 26.

 

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $39 for preview performances and $39-$54 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. $30 “Rush” tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon – 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon – 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

 

 

****

 

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) is a professional not-for-profit regional theatre whose mission is to preserve and pass on the tradition of live, professional theatre – including the American musical – and to pursue avenues of enrichment and education for the benefit of the state of Rhode Island and the surrounding region through the theatre arts. OSTC, which re-opened and ran the historic Theatre By The Sea in Matunuck, RI from 2007-2012 and began producing shows in Warwick, RI in 2012, is an IRS designated not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.

 AT A GLANCE

 

PRODUCTION:                     Guys and Dolls

 

DATES:                                  July 9 – 27

 

WHERE:                                 Ocean State Theatre

                                                1245 Jefferson Boulevard

                                                Warwick, RI

 

PERFORMANCE TIMES:    Wednesday, July 9 at 7:30 pm (preview)

                                                Thursday, July 10 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm (previews)

                                                Friday, July 11 at 7:30 pm (opening)

                                                Saturday, July 12 at 7:30 pm

                                                Sunday, July 13 at 2:00 pm

Wednesday, July 16 at 7:30 pm

                                                Thursday, July 17 at 7:30 pm

                                                Friday, July 18 at 7:30 pm

                                                Saturday, July 19 at 2:00 & 7:30 pm

                                                Sunday, July 20 at 2:00 pm

Wednesday, July 23 at 7:30 pm

                                                Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 pm

                                                Friday, July 25 at 7:30 pm

                                                Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 pm

                                                Sunday, July 27 at 2:00 pm

                                               

SPECIAL EVENTS:               Conducting Conversations Live!

                                                WCRI’s Mike Maino leads cast and crew in lively discussion

                                                following the 2pm performance on Sunday, July 13

                                                Free

                                               

Piano Bar Series

“Broadway Music and Comedy”

Theatre Lobby

Following evening performances beginning at approximately 10:15pm on:

Friday, July 18

Saturday, July 19

Friday, July 25

Saturday, July 26

                                                Free

 

TICKET PRICES:                Previews - $39

                                                All other performances - $39/$49/$54

                                                Rush (as available, one hour prior to curtain) - $30

                                                Group Discounts Available (401) 921-1777 x112

 

RESERVATIONS:                             (401) 921-6800

 

###

 

www.oceanstatetheatre.org

New England Vampires

With Halloween approaching this week, we give thought to an episode in New England history when vampires were thought to dwell among us.

Not vampires like Dracula, but it was very common in the folklore of New England, even unto the early 1800s, that death by consumption—or tuberculosis as we now call it—was due to the souls of the dead feeding on the living.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection, easily spread among people in close quarters.  Entire families were wiped out by the disease, but with absolutely no knowledge of germs, the infected victims and their frightened relatives sought other answers.

In rural New England, folklore persisted that in order to stop the disease, the body of a family member who died of it would be exhumed, and ritually desecrated in various manners—the organs would be removed and burned, or the head decapitated, or the body simply turned over to face downward.

It might have given a panicked family a night’s sleep to think they’d solved the problem, but the ritual obviously did nothing to curb the consumption of remaining family members.

A fascinating article on the subject by Abigail Tucker, which begins with an eerie investigation into an unmarked graveyard and leads to incidents in Griswold, Connecticut; Woodstock, Vermont; Plymouth, Massachusetts; and Exeter, Rhode Island; was published in Smithsonian magazine in October 2012, and reads like a mystery novel, an historical documentary, and a tantalizing ghost story.  You can read it here.

 

Hard Labor in New England

A few photos in anticipation of the upcoming Labor Day holiday.  Once upon a time, it meant more than the last backyard barbecue of summer.

The Fisk, Chicopee, Massachusetts, likely in the late 1930s.  Image Museum website.

 

 

 

Isaac Prouty Boot & Shoe Co, Spencer, Massachusetts, Spencer Historical Museum Collections. Richard Sugden Library, Spencer, Massachusetts.

 

 

Skinner Mfg. Co., Holyoke, Mass. Image Museum website.  See here for my previous posts on the Skinner silk mills: http://newenglandtravels.blogspot.com/2012/01/william-skinners-silk-mills-holyoke.html

http://newenglandtravels.blogspot.com/2013/07/doris-tanguay-at-william-skinner-mfg-co.html

http://newenglandtravels.blogspot.com/2013/07/doris-tanguay-at-skinner-company.html

 

 

 

War worker in 1942.  Gilbert Company, New Haven, Connecticut.  Photo Howard Hollem, Office of War Information.  See here for my previous post on women war workers:

http://newenglandtravels.blogspot.com/2013/07/ladies-who-were-wows-springfield-armory.html

 

 

Boys who worked at a cotton mill in North Pownal, Vermont, 1910. 

Lewis Wickes Hine, photographer, Library of Congress

 

 

Eastport, Maine, East Coast Canning Co., 1911,

Lewis Wickes Hine photographer, Library of Congress

 

 

Fiskeville, Rhode Island, Jackson Mill, 1909,

Lewis Wickes Hine photographer, Library of Congress

 

 

There but for the union go I.  Or you.  Happy Labor Day.