About this Event
Underpinning the sensationalism of battle reports & broadsides is the often silent steadiness of women’s work with textiles. The choices they made about fashion, fabric consumption and creation drove the course of Revolution just as determinedly as any congress. As New England commemorates the 250th anniversary of the War for Independence, it is these local lives dressed in fulled wool or spun silk that continue to inspire creativity, resilience, and empathy in us today.
From the mythology of homespun to legends of midnight rides in red cloaks & calashes, the Dirty Blue Shirts share stories of women who waged war on multiple fronts as well as a look at what they wore as their worlds turn’d upside down.
Uncovering history is dirty work! The Dirty Blue Shirts is an experiential history collective of living historians, scholars, and artists based in New London County & Western Rhode Island. From Revolution to Prohibition: their passion is bringing American history to life. Whether in plain clothes or period attire, research and authenticity are at the heart of everything the Shirts do. This program is being presented by Rebecca Bayreuther Donohue and Amanda Flynn Rumney.
For over twenty years, Rebecca built research and programming at a major maritime museum. Now she practices and teaches living history in a variety of time periods and media, including the recreation of period clothing, material culture, lifestyles, and events.
Amanda approaches living history as an archaeologist, teacher, writer, and genealogist. When not crocheting or cataloging some old thing, she combines her experiences in education, material culture, and document-based research to create unique living history experiences. In 2015, she received her MA in Archaeology – Museum & Artefact Studies from Durham University in the UK.
This lecture will be held at the Monterey Meeting House, 449 Main Rd, Monterey and via Zoom. Zoom tickets need to be purchased in advance but in-person tickets can be purchased either in advance or at the door.
A Zoom link will be sent 2-3 days in advance of the presentation.
For in-person attendees, there is limited parking on the street in front of the Meeting House and additional parking behind Monterey Town Hall, a 2 minute walk down the road.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
449 Main Rd, 449 Main Road, Monterey, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 25.00
