Lawrence History Center

The Friends of the Lawrence Public Library, the Lawrence History Center, and the Friends of Lawrence Heritage State Park invite you to a Meet & Greet with WILLIAM DONATI, author of the book, “The Life and Death of Thelma Todd.” Please join us on:

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
The Lawrence Public Library
Local History Room, 3rd Floor
51 Lawrence Street
Lawrence, MA 01841

About the Book: American film favorite and Lawrence native, Thelma Todd was much more than the beautiful blonde of the 1930s who played opposite Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy and the Marx Brothers. Todd’s tragic death transformed her into an icon of Hollywood mystery: The photograph of the 29-year-old actress slumped in her luxurious Lincoln Phaeton shocked fans in 1935. How did she die? Was it murder, suicide, or an accident?

We are happy to announce that "The Lewis Hine Project: Stories of the Lawrence Children," by Joe Manning will be on display until September 30, 2012!

Thanks to the hard work of two of our new volunteers, Meghan Bailey and Diane Lafond, we have two new collections available to researchers. The first is the Elizabeth Drwila Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps Collection, 1941-1992. Diane worked for over a month on the collection. Indeed, she went through the different parts and arranged them so that they can be easily accessed, and then wrote a finding aid for us to put up on the website. You can view the wonderful and comprehensive finding aid she created here. The collection contains scrapbooks, newsletters, medals, and patches relating to the Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps, especially the Lawrence Unit. Although the collection consist of only four hollinger boxes (you can see one of them on the right), the information you can glean from this collection is quite extensive. If you are interested in women's history, United States history, or World War II you should definitely take a look at this collection.

The Lawrence History Center has another mystery photograph for you. We recently had a request for information on the woman in this photograph, which was taken at the S. R. Page studio on Essex Street. Do you think you can help? If you have any information please contact Jennifer Williams at jenn@lawrencehistory.org. Thank you for your help!

On June 14, 2012, the Lawrence History Center honored Dick Purinton, a man with a mission, quietly and effectively doing what one person can to make the Lawrence Gateway real for Lawrence's people and the organizations that serve them. Since 1998, the History Center has held the Eartha Dengler History Award Ceremony to spotlight the efforts and accomplishments of outstanding leaders who work to bring development, opportunity and prosperity to Lawrence. Dick certainly fits that criteria!

Click for more images from the event!
L to R: Hillary (Purinton) Salmons, Tim Purinton, Dick Purinton

The event was attended by well over 100 guests -- family, friends, and colleagues of our honoree -- who came to pay tribute to a wonderful person who has touched their lives in a positive and inspiring way. Guests enjoyed stories about Dick's characteristic good humor and the remarkable support he has provided to organizations and the people of Lawrence.

The Host Committee for our event was comprised of representatives from the many different organizations Dick has supported along the way:

With profound gratitude to the Purinton Family, our sponsors, friends, and many others whose contributions have made this 2012 Eartha Dengler History Award Ceremony possible…

On March 13, 2012, we welcomed about 100 guests and 26 models into our exhibit space for the "Follow the Thread Vintage Fashion Show," by Jacqueline Cooper. The show was wonderfully narrated by Terry Kelley and the models were members of the local community! It was a very fun event as you will see from the photos (Model, Maria M., pictured on right). Everyone looked stunning!

Click here for photographs!

Jacqueline Cooper's exhibit, "Follow the Thread: America's Jewish Immigrants and the Birth of the Garment Industry" will be on display within our exhibit, "Short pay! All out!" on the 6th floor of the Everett Mill through June 30, 2012. The exhibit tells the story of Jewish Immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries, events unfolding, simultaneously on two continents, and the significance of their relationships to one another. "Adapting to the changing world" is a timeless and universal theme portrayed here by the Jewish immigrants' journey, with the garment industry as vehicle.

"Follow the Thread" is hosted by the Lawrence History Center, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, and funded in part by Mass Humanities.

On May 10, 2012, LHC President, Pamela Yameen, was honored at the YWCA Tribute to Women 2012 Awards Luncheon. Each year the YWCA honors a select group of women living and/or working in the Merrimack Valley who have made outstanding contributions to their profession and community.

Friends and colleagues describe Pamela as resourceful, motivated, generous, dedicated, and selfless. The following nomination was submitted by LHC Director, Susan Grabski, with the wholehearted support of the LHC Board of Directors, Staff, and Volunteers:

Pamela Yameen is a rare and unique woman who has had a wonderful impact on those around her in the Merrimack Valley. She has an active role in her family’s business, Butcher Boy Market, she is dedicated to her family, friends and colleagues, is active in the local not-for-profit community, and never hesitates to support worthy causes that benefit her hometown of Lawrence. Her generosity comes in many forms – financial, advice, support – and she physically exudes excitement about Lawrence and for making it a better place. It’s not just about individual organizations, it’s about doing something positive for Lawrence overall. Pamela is an effective communicator and she is successful in bringing people together to work toward common goals.

Pamela and her parents (and a table full of family members!)

Please join us for a Vintage Fashion Show on Mother's Day!

Follow the Thread: Vintage Fashion Show
Sunday, May 13, 2012
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Everett Mill, 15 Union Street, 6th Floor, Lawrence
(within the LHC bilingual exhibit, "Short pay! All out!")
~ Admission Free ~