Silk skein, Windham, ca. 1840
Item 30964 info
Maine Historical Society
To demonstrate industriousness, or as a pastime, leisured young women from financially comfortable families often raised a few silk worms, reeled a little silk and even participated in exhibitions.
At the Maine Charitable Mechanics Association exhibition in 1838, Lucia Deane of Biddeford, a young lady "entirely unacquainted with the business" received a diploma for two skeins of white and two black dyed silk skeins.
Martha Cleaveland of Brunswick earned a diploma with her "specimen of sewing silk."
Item 5 of 19
