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Weekly Update

11/27/2021

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​Greetings my friends!  Last night brought the first flakes of snow to Easton!  A cold and windy night was enough to change a light rain to a slight covering of snow, just enough to remind us that winter is drawing ever nearer with each passing day.


Today we take one last look at machines produced by the Easton Machine Company for the lace industry.  One may be very familiar to you, another more obscure, and one that may still be in use somewhere.

First up is a rubber wringer.  My grandmother had a washing machine in her house that had rubber rolls mounted on the top, where she would "wring" the wet clothing through before hanging them up to dry.  This rubber wringer was the industrial version of that same familiar piece of technology that our parents and grand-parents used.  After either dyeing or bleaching a material, fabric would be run through this wringer to squeeze out any excess liquid or dye before being placed on a dryer frame.  The Morses experimented with the type of rubber used to perfect rolls that could withstand the chemical effects of bleaches and dyes.  Another improvement was to enclose the gear mechanisms so they would stay cleaner and run more efficiently.

The somewhat obscure second machine featured here is a bit of a mis-nomer: a mangle did just the opposite of what the name implies.  It takes any fabric, and through the use of springs and hand wheels, applies hundreds of pounds of pressure to sheets of fabric.  Some fabrics, such as linen and damask, need this "flattening" of the fibers to bring out the sheen we are so familiar with.  Another application for a mangle is to heat the rolls so that the mangle acts as an iron, removing wrinkles from bolts of material before being wound for sale.  Mangles are still in use today by fabric producers, and are a favorite item for those who produce their own specialized fabrics, especially linens and silks.

The last machine takes bulk lace and wraps it into the small packages of material we are used to seeing today in fabric shops.  This hand winder machine wrapped delicate lace around a piece of heavy cardboard.  In the accompanying photo, you can see it in use inside a store.  To the left of the winder are a number of lace pieces already wound and ready for sale.

I hope you've enjoyed this look at what goes into making lace.  The machines that the Morse family developed, improved upon, and supplied through the Easton Machine Company helped to revolutionize the United States lace making industry, making lace more affordable for American consumers.  When you put on your favorite holiday outfit this year, take a moment to reflect on what it took to produce that special dress or suit.

Stay well,
Frank
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    Curator: Frank Meninno

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Hello! June closes with a beautiful weekend of sun and warm, summer temperatures. This weekend would be terrific for sunning on the beach, working in the yard, cooking out, or taking in a ball game.

Sixty-five years ago that is exactly what was going on at Frothingham Park. In the summer of 1957, someone took a photo of a baseball game being played at Frothingham. The photo is taken from the hill near the Sheridan Street gate, and overlooks the outfield towards home plate. Though the photo is printed in black and white, one can easily see why playing ball at Frothingham Park is such a special experience! The field is well manicured, the basepaths smooth, the infield and outfield grass short and sturdy. Dozens of people are watching from the concrete stands. Others find the shade of the beautiful trees is the best place to watch from. Since the trees are well leafed out, I think this might be a summer game, perhaps our beloved Easton Huskies. How many of us have trekked to the Park to watch the Huskies, or our Oliver Ames High School teams, or Little League teams play? Even better, how many of us played in any of those games? With its beautiful baseball field, shade trees, natural beauty, and welcoming water fountain, Frothingham Park has no equal when it comes to a great place for sports. Today the Park is still a wonderful place to play in, or watch a baseball game. This photo, taken from approximately the same location as the 1957 photo, looks over that same green outfield towards the area of home plate. The field itself, aptly named for the late Robert "Buddy" Wooster who took such great care of the field, the park, and played games there, is as nicely kept as ever. The trees have matured since that 1957 photo was taken, providing even more beauty and shade. Driving by one can still catch a good ballgame, and certainly catch memories of heroics of years past. Does anyone remember Ken MacAfee hitting a ball onto Sheridan Street, over the iron fence? That must have been a truly Ruthian blast! Today the Park provides a safe playspace for young people, basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts, a track and paths for walking. A new pavilion adds a nice piece to an already inviting area. How many people packed a picnic lunch and escaped to the shady places at the Park to escape the summer heat? The Park is many things to many people, and a true treasure to our town since its establishment in 1930 as a gift from Mrs. Mary Ames Frothingham in memory of her late husband, Congressman Louis A. Frothingham. By the way, Mr. Frothingham was an excellent athlete and one of the best baseball players ever at Harvard. During the Great Depression, the Park was an anchor for so many. During this past pandemic, the Park once again proved its importance to so many people as a place to play, a place to relax, and a center of our community. Until next week, stay well,
Frank
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  • Home
    • Our Story
    • Curators Corner
    • Tours
  • Discover
  • Gallery
    • Richardson Buildings
    • Records
    • Maps
    • Ames Mansions
    • Event Photos
  • Research
    • Cemetery Records Collection
    • Crimes and Disasters Collection
    • Easton Churches Collection
    • Easton Ledger Collection
    • Easton's Neighborhoods
    • Folklore Collection
    • Frank Seymour Hersey Papers
    • George Warren Andrews Collection
    • Hayward Family Collection
    • Morse Family Collection
    • Randall Genealogical Papers
    • TECCOE Collection
    • Unity Church Collection
    • William L. Chaffin Papers
    • Links
    • Newsletters
  • Find Us
  • Books
  • Novelty Items
  • Prints and Maps
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Membership
  • Weekly Update
  • Weekly Update