The Lewis Hine Project

On November 12th, a group of students and professors gathered to hear Joe Manning illustrate his unanticipated journey over the past seven or so years. The presentation was set up at O’Leary’s mezzanine, with chairs and the people sitting in them occupying half of the entire floor. The seats that had been set up in neat rows filled up quickly, and many had no other option but to grab spare chairs from the library’s tables and lug them over to the area of the presentation. Joe, on several occasions before starting his presentation, asked those who were separated from the rest of the crowd if they could see the projector screen. It was obvious that he was excited. He wanted to get his presentation started, not so it would end as soon as possible, so that he could deliver the message that was being held at the tip of his tongue. He wanted everyone to hear the story, and he wanted to engage and intrigue his audience.

He began by displaying a famous picture of a girl standing next to a massive machine that would have been found in a mill. Her name was Addie Card. Her skin and clothes were dirtied, and her pose with one arm on the machine made it known that she was far too familiar with where she was. The photograph was part of a project by Lewis Hine, a photographer of the early 20th century whose work brought attention to the unjust child labor of the mill factories in America, including those of Lowell. Mr. Manning spoke of how his friend had written a story about Addie. She had done research on the life of the girl in order to write her story, but records ended about 20 years into Addie’s life. One day, the woman who had written this story went to Joe, and asked him to find out exactly what had happened to the girl in the photograph. The task seemed fairly impossible to complete, but Joe’s curiosity and interest urged him to accept the challenge.

He continued his presentation by describing the steps he took on his journey to discovering exactly what happened to this little girl of the mill factory photograph. Using the bits of research his friend had attained, Joe discovered and traveled to the girl’s hometown in Vermont. He had little to work with, and was not experienced with this line of work. He began by looking at the birth and death records of the early 1900s at the town hall, but this approach would only allow for limited success as there were no records past a certain year. This obstacle did not drain Mr. Manning’s hope. He continued on, searching deeper into any relevant record that he could get his hands on. Eventually, after several months of nonstop searching and traveling, the story of Addie Card had been pieced together. Joe had come in contact with some of her direct descendants, and some of them did not know as much about Addie’s life as he did. By not giving up on his project, Joe Manning connected relatives who had not known much of their extended family.
 He then went on to describe several more of his 350 research projects on the lives of these forgotten child laborers that had been so important to America’s social history. With each project, Joe found that he was doing something important by uncovering the identities of these children, while also connecting families through their iconic ancestors. His deep interest and the support he received from the families of these child laborers urged him forward in continuing his project, one that is now a part of his daily life. Towards the end of the presentation, he brought attention to the fact that he eerily looks like Lewis Hine, and the audience responded with a gasp of agreement and awe. Mr. Manning’s excitement and obsession with discovering new information fascinated me, and I found it remarkably interesting that such an important project in our nation’s history was brought to life nearly 100 years later by one man with free time on his hands. Deep curiosity and perseverance led him to unexpectedly touch many families. Joe Manning had a goal, and no matter how much the odds were not in his favor, he did everything he could to achieve it. 

Hockey Game at the Tsongas Arena

The men’s ice hockey team had unexpectedly lost the first game of the season after being ranked the best college team in America. Although they did win their next game, the sting of losing after all the hype was still felt by the hockey fans of UMass Lowell. Now they would play their third game of the season against Quinnipiac, the national runner-up in last years tournament. However, it was my first college hockey game as a part of a college fan base, and I walked through the doors of the Tsongas Arena not knowing what to expect. Was the hockey game going to be sloppy yet exciting like those of my high school or was it going to be clean cut and professional like we watch on TV?

Students were packed into the student section, but the rest of the seating was sporadically filled by locals and other students. Blue and red decorated the entire arena, and the fans were excited to get the game under way. Boo’s met the opposing team as they hopped onto the ice, while a roar of cheers greeted the Riverhawks from the tunnel. The atmosphere was filled by a nervous hope that the opening loss was nothing more than a fluke.

The first period of the game was back and forth, up and down the ice, but neither team found a way to put the puck in the back of the net. I was pleased to see how excited the fans got when a promising play developed. Tensity was felt all over the crowd, and gasps of excitement and nervousness were constantly matched by sighs of disappointment and relief. Both the team and the fans of UMass Lowell knew how important a victory would be.

After a fifteen minute break from all of the action, the teams came back onto the ice. The second period held more surprises than the first, but they were not in our favor. Quinnipiac scored three times in the second, and with each goal, it seemed like the energy of Lowell’s players diminished. The momentum of the game was clearly in the away team’s favor, and UML’s chances were looking slim. Fans began to look at one another as if their friends could explain what was making everything go wrong. The mood felt in the arena had changed over the course of twenty minutes.

The Riverhawks came out during the third period with an extra hop in their step. They knew they had a lot of pressure on their shoulders during the final period of the game. High expectations needed to be met, and the team did everything they could to meet them. Every shot that the home team took on net was pleaded to go in by the fans, and every save made on opposing shots was thanked. When UMass Lowell scored in the middle of the period, the student section erupted. It was a great experience to witness a goal by my school’s team at the college level. A spectator that had no knowledge of the score or the game situation would have thought that the team had just won a close game in overtime. The hope of a comeback suddenly became a bit more realistic, and the fans began to cheer a little louder. The common thought seemed to be that if they scored three goals in one period, so can we. The game went on, and with every failed shot attempt the hope of winning began to fade. As the final horn sounded, the scoreboard read 3-1 in favor of the away team.

Although the end result was disappointing, Riverhawk students shrugged it off rather easily. I heard more than one fan say something along the lines of “Hey, last year started the same way and look at how it turned out then.” We were reminded that it was only the third game of a very long season and that there was plenty of time to turn things around. I was impressed by the optimism being passed around the UML fan base, and it made me more excited for the intensity of the games later in the season. After losing another one to Quinnipiac, the Riverhawks hockey team has won five straight games, a good sign for things to come.

Brew'd Awakening Coffeehaus

At around noon time on a brisk Sunday in early November, I took the Riverhawk Roadster shuttle to the Kennedy Center Station. My girlfriend caught the commuter rail from North Station earlier in the morning, as we had made plans to explore the streets of downtown Lowell together. After several trips for various classes and a night out for dinner with my family, I was intrigued as to what else there was to a city with such a diverse and rich history. Being from south of Boston, there was no prior familiarity with me and Lowell before coming to school at UMass, besides learning about the textile mills in middle school.

My girlfriend and I took the shuttle from the station to the ICC and from there our adventure began. We walked north Central Street and took a left turn onto Market as we headed to the Bew’d Awakening Coffeehaus. My best friend’s dad is an avid supporter of the coffee shop, and every time he comes up to visit he reminds us to stop by one day during our free time. Once I realized I finally had an opportunity to check it out, I took advantage of it. My girlfriend and I passed a few elderly people sitting at the tables outside and walked into a wall of coffee flavored aroma. The tables of the coffeehaus were painted with bright and vivid colors that matched the pleasant atmosphere within them. Paintings and photographs by local artists decorated every wall and corner of the shop, each with a price tag under them. The color and lighting of the place was welcoming and set a happy mood from the moment we walked in.

Unfortunately, and this remains a regret in my mind, we ordered hot chocolate...at a coffee shop known for its brilliant coffee. The hot cocoa served to us in the homestyle mugs was certainly delicious, but I wish we had tasted what all the hype was about. I’ll have to go back there again soon, with my mind focused only on trying their coffee.

We left Brew’d Awakening, and found ourselves walking down Palmer street. With the cobble stone road and the large brick buildings on either side, it wouldn’t be hard to forget if one was in the late 1800s or early 2000s. The old street signs dating back to who knows when are still engraved into the bricks of the buildings on each street corner. I’m always fascinated by places like Lowell, such as Boston, Portland, ME and Portsmouth, NH (just to name a few). The beauties of their histories are all laid out for us to marvel at, and I highly recommend that anyone take an opportunity to walk down streets like Palmer Street. During a time when technology has replaced much of our past, we must enjoy hidden gems in our communities such as this street in Lowell.

As we continued to wander the historical streets of downtown Lowell, our eyes were opened to how wonderful the city really is. We ended up at the Kerouac Commemorative Park without any intention of doing so. We walked around the pillars and read the quotes from his various stories. From there we followed the old trolley tracks. After walking by a few, less known mills, we found ourselves in front of the Boott Cotton Mill. We walked into the courtyard and tried to imagine what it would have been like 150 years ago when it was packed with laborers. From the Boott Mill we headed back towards UMass Lowell’s East campus.

Wandering through the streets of downtown Lowell gave me a true appreciation of what surrounds the school I go to. The smokestacks that can be seen from any corner of the city, the Merrimack river that gracefully winds through the trees, and the old cobblestone roads and brick buildings all exemplify the city of Lowell’s rich and enduring history. The restaurants, the parks, and the historical sites are turning Lowell around after so many years of struggle. The city has certainly made a turn for the better, and I find it remarkable that with so much change going on it has been able to maintain the history that is so rare in today’s American societies.

Cappy's Copper Kettle

The dim, somber lighting of the bar almost too perfectly reflected the character and persona of a man that was being celebrated by some twenty-five people. Mystery, history, sadness, and friendship were all melted together in Cappy’s Copper Kettle. At one point the great Jack Kerouac called on this bar to provide him a proper setting to find peace of mind, and now it was being used to celebrate his unmatchable talent as a writer. People of all ages gathered for this celebration. Two UMASS Lowell students began the night by playing a few songs on the small stage, while their friends and supporters played pool and drank beer the at near by tables. Jack Kerouac would have appreciated what was happening within the walls of Cappy’s. The pool playing, laughing, and beer drinking would have suited him well, while the college girls would have kept his mind busy.

It was evident that the people that gathered at Cappy’s Copper Kettle were not only there to celebrate a famous writer, but to celebrate a figure who had left a significant impact on their lives. Kerouac’s writings had filled the daily motions of Lowell with color and spirit. The writer, a native of Lowell and a lover of his hometown, had gained a great deal of fame and popularity during the revolutionary Beat Generation of literature. Those who lived in Lowell during possibly its toughest of times found escape and security in Jack Kerouac’s novels and imaginative stories. The passion wrapped in his words and the descriptive admiration of the city fill many of his stories, such as On the Road and Doctor Sax. Such passion and admiration for a city that at one point was detested by many provided pride and inspiration to its residents. Some of these same residents would later form the Lowell Celebrates Kerouac group, the same group that had met at Cappy’s Copper Kettle. His words had touched them at one point in time, and they gathered to recognize, appreciate, and celebrate their elegance. 

The people that gathered at Cappy’s to celebrate Kerouac during the Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival were mostly elderly, and had been a part of the group for a long time. The room was decorated with the in-season Halloween decorations, along with posters and pictures of Kerouac. T-shirts with various designs that celebrated Kerouac in one way or another were being sold at a table tucked away in the corner of the bar. Kerouac’s books, both read and re-read, were found sitting on top of the majority of Cappy’s wooden tables. They were brought by those who had volunteered to read passages from Kerouac’s stories through out the night. This night, meant to kick-off the celebratory weekend of Jack Kerouac, held much meaning to those of the Lowell Celebrates Kerouac group. It began a weekend that would celebrate the 50th anniversary of Visions of Gerard and the 25th anniversary of the Kerouac Commemorative park in downtown Lowell. The night at the bar also celebrated the retirement of a long time member and friend of the group. A man who had made it all possible to celebrate such an important figure over the years.

The Kerouac walking tour mirrored the focus of the kick-off event at Cappy’s Copper Kettle. The importance and impact that one writer had on every aspect of his birthplace was emphasized both at the bar and on the tour. Visiting the school of childhood, the funeral home in which he was kept after his death, and the houses that he called home showed that Jack Kerouac is still very much a part of the daily lives of people living in Lowell today. Many of his stories included pieces of Lowell, such as the altar, the bridge, and the river, and his recognition of and love for these common sights have turned them into significant landmarks of the city. Jack Kerouac’s words transformed the city of Lowell into a proud place, one that appreciates the little pieces that can be found no where else. Kerouac loved his hometown, and has left a significant impact on the residents of the city for many years to come.

Elisa's Seven Years Wanderings

It appeared as if the Boott Cotton Millls had been designed to be as monotonous as the labor that transpired within its walls. Brown and burnt red brick engulfed the place on which a cotton mill once operated. The buildings seemed to be positioned to fit the daily lives of those who found work there. Sitting there patiently, the structures were waiting at a moment’s notice for life to be driven back into their hallways, as if their existence and entire purpose had been eternally put on pause. Although the large black clock still ticked, it no longer ticked for the workers that it was supposed to routinely direct. The organization was simple and obvious. The laborers woke up in the boarding houses, went to work in the factory rooms, and went back to bed in the houses. There was no confusion or mystery as to what the point of this landmark was at one time in its history. The buildings stood tall, looking down upon whoever walk across their shadows. As if they were monitoring what was happening at their feet, the brick structures mimicked the roles of the mill supervisors that once ruled over the workers.

Despite the plain and eery appearance of the factory buildings that populated the mill grounds, there was a silent beauty of standing in their presence. The mill stands together as a whole, and an awestruck feeling of standing in front of a elderly local hero is evoked. The quiet atmosphere of the courtyard provided time to absorb the purpose that the mill once had served. The erratic history of the Boott Cotton Mills is marked by the countless, tired faces of laborers and the loud and monstrous machinery. Periods of prosperity, competition, and desertion expand over the existence of this mill, and the influences they had on the surrounding community are still felt by venturing further into the city. Imagining the currently lifeless museum as a center for industry and interaction is a difficult task, but it is fascinating nonetheless to imagine the sound of footsteps and machines, smells of smoke and food, and sights of crowded workers. From a historical standpoint, the significance and beauty of this museum cannot be found anywhere else. 

Today, it serves as an educational and observational trip back in time for students, tourists, and anyone with interest in the once industrial center of New England. It educates observers about the purpose of the mills were, along with the daily lives of the culturally diverse groups of mill workers. Ironically, the museum draws attention to the unreasonable customs of the mill and presents the fact that these inhumane living conditions still exist around the world today. The museum plays a role, although not as major, in bringing attention to the City of Lowell, as did the mill when it was still in operation throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. It brought people and life to the community, and its industry was sparked by competition with other mills in the area. Until its decline early in the 1900s, the mill was key to the success of the Massachusetts city.

Boott’s enduring mill stands as a significant symbol of the culture and lifestyle of Lowell, Massachusetts. The residents of the modern city mirror the hardworking and persistent mill workers of the 1800s. Despite various hardships and times of stagnation, both the mill and the city overcame challenges along its path to becoming recognized as successful and sought-after locations. The various cultures that are spread out through Lowell once scattered the factory rooms of the Boott Cotton Mills. They became intertwined, and as a result funneled out into the community in order to begin lives of their own. The mill signifies the importance of being familiar with the extensive and rich history of the very streets walked on by Lowell residents today. UMASS Lowell can be regarded as a modern day city mill: a center of hard work, education, and socialization for those who occupy it. The stern and enduring buildings of the Boott Cotton Mills remind those who observe it of the beautiful and rich history that characterizes the City of Lowell and its people of this day.

God of Carnage

Benjamin and Henry will never know of the day that their parents’ lost all self control in an attempt to resolve an issue that they had caused. The stress, tension, yelling, drunkenness, and utter disappointment will forever be confined within the walls of the living room in which four adults lost control. The hamster will be forgotten and the cell phone will be replaced, but these parents (Annette, Veronica, Alan, and Michael) will live with the embarrassment of knowing the selfishness that was displayed during an attempt to resolve a conflict between their children. The parents had been too caught up in flaunting social status and culture, rather than focusing on the issue that had brought them together in the first place. After displaying such obnoxious and childish behavior under the pressure of presenting an image of being proper and formal adults, the two couples will try their hardest to forget what took place in that living room; but, what was said can never be taken back causing one marriage to grow while another crumbles.

By the end of the play, it had become evident that each of the four characters were not completely pleased with the way that they were being appreciated by their spouses. Veronica shows her frustration towards Michael as she feels that he does not appreciate her artistic interests and style enough, while Michael believes that Veronica does not support his life enough as he’s constantly working. Even though Michael and Veronica become furious a each other - Veronica goes as far as to physically attack Michael - their marriage will last. After this meeting with Annette and Alan, Henry’s parents will realize that changes must be made in order to make each other happy. Michael will make a stronger effort appreciate Veronica’s love for the arts and style, while Veronica will better understand Michael’s work load and the stress that he might feel through out the work week. After attempting to be good hosts, and failing miserably, Veronica and Michael will realize that they must do a better job of communicating in order to keep the marriage alive. There is evidence that their relationship is strong enough to make it last, one example being when they clean up Annette’s vomit together and joke around about the other couple as they do so. Once the issue between the children is resolved, Veronica and Michael’s marriage will not dissolve, as they will do what they can to communicate and make each other happy.
On the other hand, Annette and Alan’s marriage will not last. Their relationship is not as strong and Alan’s work is too important in order for him to make any adjustments for the sake of the marriage. Through out the entire meeting, Alan not only ignores his hosts but his own wife as well, in order to talk on the phone with a client of his. His mind is strictly focused on business and it is evident that he focuses excessively on matters at the office rather than on matters at the house. Alan also mentions that he was in a previous marriage, which is a sign that his mind-set in maintaining love relationships is far from determined. It is likely that the previous marriage crumbled for the same reason that his marriage with Annette will fall: business. Annette and Alan’s lack of communication will be the down fall of their marriage. It takes Annette a few glasses of whiskey before she can truly say what is on her mind, and how she feels about Alan’s phone. Alan will never be able to let that go because his phone was so dear to him. Due to Alan’s focus on his business and the lack of communication between him and Annette, their marriage will falter.
The conflict between the two boys will soon be resolved with simple apology from Benjamin and as many young children do, Henry will forgive him and they will carry on as if nothing was wrong. As they grow older, the boys will turn to each other and laugh as they remember the time when Benjamin knocked out two of Henry’s teeth with a stick. The instance that caused their parents to lose all control for 80 minutes will turn out to be nothing but a mere memory. The parents will avoid any interactions, but not as a result of hate for each other. They will pass each other in the aisles of the grocery store or bump into each other at school events, but they will only resort to awkward eye contact with the humiliating memory of the meeting resting in the back of their minds. After the lights fade out and the two families carry out their lives, one marriage will last as the other breaks, and the two boys who started this all will carry on as class mates with no knowledge of their parents’ temporary insanity.