Upgrading Harriet Beecher Stowe House Light Protection
FAIN: PG-252915-17
Harriet Beecher Stowe Center (Hartford, CT 06105-3243)
Cynthia Anne Cormier (Project Director: May 2016 to October 2017)
The purchase of 30 historic-looking,
light-filtering linen shades for the interpreted public areas on the first and
second floors of the home of writer Harriet Beecher Stowe, as well as nine
light-blocking shades for the third-floor storage spaces. The shades would protect historic artifacts
in the home from damaging sunlight. Furniture,
clothing, dishware, and personal items belonging to the Stowe and Beecher
families are used to demonstrate everyday routines and provide visitors with a
way to connect to the historical themes presented—19th-century women’s history,
African American history and racial attitudes in the United States, civic
reform, and Stowe’s legacy as a writer—on a personal level. The work of
this heritage tourism site, program center, and research library reaches a wide
variety of scholars, students, and members of the general public.
The Stowe Center seeks funding
for upgraded light filtering and light blocking window shades for objects in
the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, a National Historic Landmark and the home
where Stowe lived for 23 years. The Center holds the largest collection of
materials related to Stowe. The collections are nationally significant,
illustrating Stowe's life and impact and the worldwide response to Uncle Tom's
Cabin. The objects date from the late 18th century to the 1950s. 85% of the
household objects belonged to Stowe or her family. This project will replace 39
failed window shades with historic-looking light filtering and blocking shades,
which together with new interior mounted storm windows (not part of this
application), will provide museum-standard light protection throughout the
historic building. This project is scheduled following window improvements,
environmental control upgrades, and fire suppression installation in the Stowe
House to be completed in late spring 2017.