Barn Loom, Durham, ca. 1860

Contributed by Durham Historical Society

Description

Built in Durham in the mid-19th century, this loom eventually became the property of residents Ernest and Esther Weed when they moved to Boston in the 1960s to become the directors of the Beacon Hill Friends House, a Quaker Meeting House. Esther wove on it from the couple's third floor apartment in the city. (The loom can be taken apart for transport.)

When the Weeds later returned to Maine, settling in Stonington, they brought the loom back with them. They donated the loom to the Durham Historical Society in 1988. The Society had the loom partially restored in 1989 and invited a local weaver to test the machine. The weaver produced a placemat-sized sample in red, white, and blue, the thread for which remains on the loom to this day.

The Weeds were important figures in the history of the Beacon Hill Friends House and have an annual lecture series named after them. The Weed Memorial Lecture "honors the memories of Ernest and Esther Weed, long time co-directors of the House during its formative years."

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About This Item

  • Title: Barn Loom, Durham, ca. 1860
  • Creation Date: circa 1860
  • Subject Date: circa 1860
  • Location: Durham, Androscroggin County, ME
  • Media: Wood, metal
  • Dimensions: 185.4 cm x 147.3 cm x 188 cm
  • Object Type: Physical Object

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For more information about this item, contact:

Durham Historical Society
, Durham, ME 

Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.

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