NATCC Important Developments

["Reiter, Sara" <SReiter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE NATCC CONFERENCE
Strengthening the Bond: Science and Textile Conservation
April 4-6, 2002   
Philadelphia Museum of Art and Winterthur Museum

The location of the Thursday evening opening reception has been changed. The
reception will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Mask and Wig Club, 310 S.
Quince Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.  The club, located just south of
Spruce Street, between 11th and 12th Streets is an easy 10-minute walk from
the hotel. A true "Philadelphia experience", the club boasts murals by
Maxfield Parrish and lots of theatre memorabilia and original artwork. If
you want to take a look, they have a website www.maskandwig.org. For those
of you who are not staying at the hotel, there is some street parking in the
neighborhood and an indoor paid lot at the corner of 11th and Pine Street.
Walking directions and maps will be available at the registration desk at
PMA, noon - 5:00pm on Thursday, and at the conference Hotel. 

The conference hotel has recently changed its name to The Radisson
Plaza-Warwick Hotel Philadelphia.   The new reservation number is
1-800-523-4210, or 1-800-333-3333.  You may also register via e-mail by
contacting  kelly.stark@xxxxxxxxxxxxx  Be sure to mention NATCC to get the
$99/night conference rate.   The hotel is great - it's in a fabulous, safe,
upscale, neighborhood at the center of the Rittenhouse Square District of
Philadelphia.  Parking is available.  Go to their website at
www.radisson.com for more information.  There are numerous restaurants
within a few blocks: everything from a 24-hour diner directly across the
street to "seven of America's top 50 restaurants" within a few blocks.  A
slice of pizza or a $200 meal, either one is just minutes away.  

The hotel is also convenient to some great shopping opportunities (though
there won't be time on Friday or Saturday), Daffy's is just two blocks up on
the same street and there is no tax on clothing in Pennsylvania. 

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has generously offered conference attendees,
with valid NATCC ID, free access to the galleries from noon on Thursday
through Sunday afternoon and a 10% discount at the Museum Shop.   

Friday April 5th in the Old City section of Philadelphia is "First Friday."
The area is full of galleries that are open until 9:00 pm. There are also
lots and lots of great restaurants.   We'll be providing maps and gallery
information at the conference on Friday.  Until then take a look at
www.oldcity.org.

The Philadelphia Antiques Show, one of the top shows in the United States,
will be taking place beginning on Saturday, April 6th, with a special
exhibition from Stenton, an 18th c. historic house museum with lots of very
important textiles. The show is open until 8:00 PM on Saturday so you may
even be able to get in an hour or so after the conference.  But I would
recommend going on Sunday when it's open from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. It is
also "Antiques Week" in Philadelphia with special exhibitions at many of the
museums, antiques shops and galleries.  If you plan to stay at the
conference hotel be sure to book early as it is one of the package hotels
for the Antiques show (at $139 for a standard room!!).  See
www.PhilaAntiques.com for more info. 

Anyone who has not received a registration brochure but would like to
receive one should contact Howard Sutcliffe:  hsutcliffe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Reminder:  Early bird registration ends February 15th, the costs go up by
$50 after that and another $50 after March 15 so send or phone in your
registration now. 

If you have any questions contact me at:  sreiter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sara Reiter
Textile Conservation
Philadelphia Museum of Art
NATCC 2002 Co-chair