New England Quilt Museum Update

There are a lot of events at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA.  Now that its getting a little warmer, you might want to plan a day trip and enjoy the ride and the museum.

• The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10-4.  From May 1 through October 31 they are also open Sundays 12-4.
• This is the museum's 25th Anniversary and they have a gift for you!  On the 25th of each month, they are offering FREE ADMISSION (as long as it falls on a day the museum is normally open.)
• On Thursdays, visitors can meet with staff members and talented volunteers from 10-3 to learn new techniques and hints about quilting.  They will also answer questions about the quilts and techniques of featured exhibits and to work on a variety of projects.
• In conjunction with the Community Quilting projects, you are invited to a series of Open Houses and "Sit and Sew" sessions to make comfort quilts for the grieving families of fallen soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Individuals are welcome to visit the museum, sign a  completed block and stay to assemble more blocks and quilt tops.  Everything is provided.  Registration is not required and you can come for all or part of the day.  You can bring your lunch and there are several places to find lunch in the neighborhood.  Coffee and tea are served.  Dates are as follows:
• March 29
• May 31 (the traditional Memorial Day)
• June 29
• August 9-11 at the IMAGES show during the Lowell Quilt Festival
• October 2
• November 9 (This is actually Friday, but it will be a tribute to Veteran's Day)
• The first and third Thursdays will also feature Brown Bag Lunch Lectures.  Bring your lunch or get one at a neighborhood restaurant.  Coffee and tea are served.  Reservations are not required.  Check out the Brown Bag tag on the museum website for more information.
• The Book Group meets monthly from 12:30-1:30.  Check the website for a complete list of dates and titles.
• August 9-11 is the Lowell Quilt Festival, a citywide celebration of quilts, featuring IMAGES, New England's premier judged and juried quilt show.  Galleries and museums around town partner to celebrate the textile arts.  There's a free shuttle to help people get from venue to venue.  This year, Marianne Fons, co-founder of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting magazine and television program, will be a special guest.

The museum is looking for volunteers to meet and greet visitors from all over the world.  Volunteers do everything from working on blocks and quilt tops to sharing the museum's incredible resources with the visitors.  They are especially needed for the Library, which remains closed if there isn't a
volunteer to take care of it.  Volunteers are asked to work one Saturday or Sunday per month, but they are also welcome Tuesdays through Friday from 10-4.  If you are interested, send an email to Questions@NEQuiltMuseum.org. 

So, enjoy the lovely weather and the lovely region and take a day trip to the New England Quilt Museum!