en Thousand Digital Absurdities: The Power of the Needlework in 19th Century America

Mariah Gruner

May 4, 2021 

7 pm

On Zoom

The Natick Historical Society welcomes Mariah Gruner for a virtual presentation about needlework in 19th century America and the ways that 19th century women used the stitch to change women’s history.

Suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton may have dismissed women’s needlework, declaring the frustration she felt “whenever I have seen any daughters of our grand Republic knitting, tatting, embroidering, or occupied with any of the ten thousand digital absurdities that fill so large a place in the lives of Eve’s daughters.” But many American women found power and meaning in their needlework and even used it to challenge typical assumptions about women’s social place. 

Mariah Gruner is a PhD candidate in American Studies at Boston University, where she is a dissertation fellow with the BU Center for the Humanities. She writes on the political uses of American women’s decorative needlework from 1820-1920 and the ways that craft is gendered and gender is crafted.

The evening will include examples of needlework from the collections, including recent acquisitions. 

This event is FREE and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Register at www.natickhistoricalsociety.org/events

Meet Our Neighbors: Natick Center Cultural District

Hosted by the Natick Historical Society

May 26, 2021

7 pm

On Zoom

The Natick Historical Society’s Meet Our Neighbors series shines a light on the many cultural, educational, service, and other organizations that have shaped Natick over time. 

In May, we’ll hear from Athena Pandolf, Executive Director of the Natick Center Cultural District (NCCD). In 2012, Natick Center became one of 14 communities designated as the state’s first Cultural Districts by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Home to working artists, locally owned businesses, and arts and culture organizations, the Cultural District works with community partners to offer a year-round calendar of events and activities.

This event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Register at www.natickhistoricalsociety.org/events