Name/Title
LoomEntry/Object ID
2017.01.07Description
Caroline Stevens Rogers loom. Upright, four harness hand loom. Inscribed with the name Mrs. Horatio [Caroline Stevens] Rogers (1894-1985). Rogers was the founder of the Merrimack Valley Textile Museum in North Andover, MA (1960/62-1996), which later became the American Textile History Museum (1996-2016) in Lowell, MA. As documented by writing on its left side, it was Caroline's personal loom. Her father, Samuel Dale Stevens (1859-1922) owned the Stevens Mill in North Andover, MA -- a woolen mill begun by Caroline's great grandfather in 1813. Over time, Caroline's father was given preindustrial textile equipment -- barn frame looms, spinning wheels, winders, etc. Around 1958, Caroline brought these wooden things to the North Andover Historical Society building where her husband Horatio Rogers helped to restore them to function. Her friend, Master Weaver Dorrie Burton, provided the technical help needed and brought Caroline to the Weavers' Guild of Boston. Caroline kept detailed notes on her explorations into the textile arts. She spun the yarn and wove fabric for a sports jacket for Horatio, which he loyally wore for her.Use
The loom is thought to have been constructed in the early 20th century as an artisanal loom, to be used for modern weaving as art, craft, and/or for home use. As such, it reflects the expansion of weaving as an art form (as opposed to a necessary household activity) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Context
Besides as a representation of an artisanal loom, the loom is significant in that it was the personal loom of an important figure in the museum field. Caroline was typical of mid-20th-century museum people and public historians -- an affluent person from the business class with no formal historical training, but who felt a calling to preserve history. The museum she founded, although it closed in 2016 after her death, was nevertheless an important museum of North American textile history for a half century. Furthermore, because the loom operates on the same principles as both preindustrial and industrial looms, it makes a useful comparison/contrast with other looms on display.Collection
American Textile History Museum CollectionMade/Created
Date made
circa 1900 - circa 1950Time Period
20th CenturyInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
HandwrittenLocation
Left sideTranscription
"Property of Mrs. Horatio Rogers on loan."Language
EnglishLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Loom, HandNomenclature Primary Object Term
LoomNomenclature Sub-Class
Textile Manufacturing EquipmentNomenclature Class
Textileworking T&ENomenclature Category
Category 04: Tools & Equipment for MaterialsOther Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
ATHMOther Number
1100.163Material
Wood, Ferrous metal, Rope, CanvasLocation
Location
Room
Dugan Mill Factory Floor ExhibitBuilding
Duagn BuildingCategory
ExhibitDate
April 3, 2025Condition
Overall Condition
FairDate Examined
Apr 3, 2025Examined By
Eves, J.Provenance
Provenance Detail
As documented by writing on its left side, it was Caroline Stevens Rogers's personal loom. At some point -- perhaps in the 1960s when the museum opened, she loaned it to the Merrimack Valley Textile History Museum, which she founded and which after her death became the American Textile History Museum. When the ATHM closed in 2016, long after Rogers passed away, the loom was offered to other museums, along with the ATHM's other artifacts. It was transferred to the MIll Museum in 2017.Created By
historian@millmuseum.orgCreate Date
April 3, 2025Updated By
historian@millmuseum.orgUpdate Date
April 4, 2025
