The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts in Madison will open the new exhibit “The Work of Play” on Tuesday, Feb. 26.
The exhibit seeks to examine the relationship between trades and leisure time. Historians of early American economics already understand the interdependency of various trades for example the farmer needed the distiller to turn his apples into hard cider so he can transport them to market. The distiller needed the cooper to make the barrels for holding the cider. The cooper required the blacksmith to forge his tools and so on. But rarely do economic historians examine the trades that flourished do to the leisure time of early Americans.
For example musical instrument makers were able to support themselves producing instruments for use by the working class at social gatherings, and the middle and upper classes for use at social gatherings and for daughters to demonstrate proper social graces. Ultimately these uses would help to support not only the makers but poet-composers, music teachers and musicians.
Taking a topical approach the exhibit will demonstrate these multilayered connections between the leisure activities of early Americans and the trades they helped to support. The topics of Toys and Games, Print Culture, Music, Fashion and Taverns will be explored throughout the exhibit.
This exhibit will remain open until September 2013. Throughout the exhibit’s duration, various public programs will take place. For more information visit metc.org or call 973-377-2982.
Regular museum admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, students and children, and free for members. Family maximum admission $13.
The museum is at 9 Main St., in the heart of downtown Madison, just two blocks from the Madison train station.
For information, call 973-377-2982, ext. 10 or visit metc.org.