Textile Conservation Center (TCC)

Recent information about the financial challenges that face the
American Textile History Museum (ATHM) in Lowell, Massachusetts, has
naturally led to questions about the present status and future of
the Textile Conservation Center which is a department of the ATHM.

We are pleased to report that the TCC continues to operate and is
accepting new clients daily. The TCC staff, led by Director Vicky
Kruckeberg and Chief Conservator Cynthia Hughes, is currently
engaged in a number of challenging projects and is eager for more of
the same. There are no plans in the works for "taking TCC private"
or to move from its facilities in Lowell.

The TCC's parent organization, the ATHM, is undertaking a multi
headed approach to establishing economic equilibrium. The ATHM has
been promised an anonymous $1 million challenge grant to bolster its
endowment. The Museum is also exploring a sale and lease back of its
building, also to increase its endowment. Third, the ATHM is
expanding its History in the Making Fundraising Campaign with the
goal of helping to bring its endowment into the range of $10
million.  These actions, combined with some downsizing of the
museums programs, are expected to return the Museum to financial
health.

If there is confusion or if there are questions, please contact
Vicky Kruckeberg <vkruckeberg<-a t->athm< . >org>.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:56
                  Distributed: Saturday, June 4, 2005
                       Message Id: cdl-18-56-002
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