Dear List Members

Recent information about the financial challenges that face the American
Textile History Museum (ATHM) in Lowell, Massachusetts, has naturally led to
questions about the present status and future of the Textile Conservation
Center which is a department of the ATHM.

We are pleased to report that the TCC continues to operate and is accepting
new clients daily. The TCC staff, led by Director Vicky Kruckeberg and Chief
Conservator Cynthia Hughes, is currently engaged in a number of challenging
projects and is eager for more of the same. There are no plans in the works
for “taking TCC private” or to move from its facilities in Lowell.

The TCC’s parent organization, the ATHM, is undertaking a multi headed
approach to establishing economic equilibrium. The ATHM has been promised an
anonymous $1 million challenge grant to bolster its endowment. The Museum is
also exploring a sale and lease back of its building, also to increase its
endowment. Third, the ATHM is expanding its History in the Making
Fundraising Campaign with the goal of helping to bring its endowment into
the range of $10 million.  These actions, combined with some downsizing of
the museums programs, are expected to return the Museum to financial health.

If there is confusion or if there are questions, please contact Vicky
Kruckeberg at [log in to unmask]