Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House to Celebrate Grant from Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation
Event, to be Held at 11 a.m. on May 1, Will Reveal Completion of Bedchamber Drawings and Wallpaper Restoration
Posted May 5, 2008 | Contact pr@nthp.org or 202-588-6141
Concord, MA (May 1, 2008) - Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, the setting for Alcott's beloved classic Little Women, will celebrate the completion of the restoration of May Alcott's bedchamber – a restoration that revealed authentically restored original drawings and wallpaper – at 11 a.m. on May 1. The project was funded by a $100,000 grant from the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Lowe's grant funds were used to completely restore the Orchard House bedchamber of May Alcott. Improvements included necessary structural repairs to the walls and ceiling, plaster repair, conservation of original wallpaper, installation of replicated wallpaper, and preservations of woodwork and May Alcott's original drawings throughout the room.
Representatives from Save America's Treasures, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Orchard House and Lowe's will participate in this special event. The event will feature presentations from the architect who worked on the project, as well as art and wallpaper conservators involved in the restoration of the bedchamber and the greater home.
"This celebration will be a chance to thank Lowe's for their generosity and acknowledge the exceptional support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Save America's Treasures," said Jan Turnquist, Executive Director of the Orchard House. "This event will also give the public an opportunity to experience anew the place where Little Women takes place, as well as to get a glimpse into the creative environment which nurtured May Alcott's incredible and unique talent."
Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House was one of 11 projects that received funding from Lowe's in 2006. Since then, 27 other projects have received funding from the Lowe's Preservation Fund in 2007 and 2008.
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ABOUT LOUISA MAY ALCOTT'S ORCHARD HOUSE (circa 1690)
Orchard House is an historic house museum that annually serves nearly 100,000 visitors from around the world through guided tours, special events, educational programming, and outreach opportunities. Home to the Alcott family for over 20 years, Orchard House is most noted for being where Louisa May Alcott wrote one of the most beloved children's books of all time, Little Women, in 1868. Orchard House also served as the setting for the book, which is largely autobiographical and has been reproduced on stage, screen, and television countless times in the past 140 years. Dedicated to public education and historic preservation, Orchard House boasts an impressive collection of original Alcott family furnishings, and is highly respected for being one of the oldest and most authentically presented historic house museums in the United States. In 2002, First Lady Laura Bush made Orchard House her first stop as Honorary Chair of the national preservation initiative, Save America's Treasures; the site has further been honored by Yankee Magazine "Simply the Best" designation, by Smithsonian Magazine/Tourism Cares for Tomorrow Sustainable Tourism Award for Preservation, and most recently by a Lowe's grant for the restoration of May Alcott's Bedchamber. For further information about the Alcotts and Orchard House, please consult www.louisamayalcott.org.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America's stories. For more information visit www.preservationnation.org.
ABOUT LOWE'S
Lowe's is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country. In 2007, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $27.5 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe's is a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2007 sales of $48.3 billion and has more than 1,525 stores in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.Lowes.com/community.
ABOUT SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES
Save America's Treasures is a public-private partnership of the National Park Service, the federal cultural agencies, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Designed to celebrate American creativity, innovation, and discovery, the program recognizes and supports projects that convey our nation's rich heritage to future generations. Honorary Chair Mrs. Laura Bush leads this effort along with co-chairs Richard Moe, President of the National Trust, and noted author, Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Former First Lady Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton continues to participate as the program's Founding Chair. To date, the program has designated over 1,500 Official Projects around the country, generating over $56 million in private support and $389 million in federal SAT challenge grants. Save America's Treasures at the National Trust is proud to be supported in part by its public partner, the National Park Service-Department of Interior.
CONTACT
Virgil McDill
National Trust for Historic Preservation
202.588.6218
Jan Turnquist
Louis May Alcott's Orchard House
508.320.4240
jturnquist@louisamayalcott.org
Maureen Rich
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
704.758.2298
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories. For more information visit www.PreservationNation.org.
