For Immediate Release         Press Contact: Connor Mathis | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (401) 331-8575 x134

What: Museum of Work & Culture’s Holiday Open House

 

When: Saturday, December 7, 2024, 10am - 5pm

 

Where: The Museum of Work & Culture (42 S. Main St., Woonsocket)

 

Free Holiday Open House at the Museum of Work and Culture

Celebration to Feature Programming and Activities for All Ages

 

(WOONSOCKET, R.I.) – The Museum of Work & Culture, a division of the Rhode Island Historical Society, will host a free Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 7, from 10am to 5pm.

 

The day’s program will feature a new exhibit in the Museum’s rotating gallery, the Rhode Island Historical Society’s Winter Toy Display, which will feature classic historic toys and games from the collection of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Visitors and community members will also have the opportunity to submit images of themselves with their favorite toys to be projected as part of the exhibit.Those interested can bring it to the Museum between 10 am and 5 pm to be scanned and uploaded to the gallery. Additionally, photos can be submitted ahead of time online at rihs.org.

 

At 11am, join artist and curator Brett Day Windham for a talk on dollmaker and entrepreneur Martha Jencks Chase. Born in 1851, Chase lived her entire life in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a town founded by her family. Chase became involved in the social reform movements of the Progressive Era, using her privileged position to improve the lives of others. The Era’s focus on child development–combined with her familial access to the latest advances in medical care–inspired her to make a soft-bodied doll with a molded face that was durable and easy to clean. The faces were pretty, detailed, and reminiscent of porcelain dolls of the time, but sturdy and practical. One of Chase’s dolls from the RIHS collection will be on display in the Museum’s rotating gallery. Attendance for the talk is free, but registration is required. Registration is available at rihs.simpletix.com.

 

Starting at 1pm, as part of the Woonsocket Holiday Stroll, the Museum will host a holiday cookie decorating station, where children can decorate their own cookie with a variety of frosting and sprinkles. Cookies and decorations are available until supplies last.

 

Finally, at 1:30pm, join the Museum for a Toy Show and Tell. Guests have the opportunity to bring in a vintage or favorite toy from childhood to celebrate and discuss childhood memories as part of the Winter Toy Display. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Registration is available at rihs.simpletix.com.

 

Sean "Diddy" Combs is being ordered to remain locked up until sentencing after being found guilty of transporting people for prostitution. Combs was found not guilty of the most serious charges against him, including racketeering and sex trafficking. He is expected to be sentenced on October 3rd.        Speaker Mike Johnson says he's hopeful the House can pass President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" sometime tonight. Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Johnson said lawmakers are making progress and having good conversations and he thinks they can "proceed tonight," and "get this done." The House remains stalled, with lawmakers yet to take the initial procedural vote to set the terms for debate.        Bryan Kohberger has officially pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing four college students in Idaho. In a Boise court today, Kohberger sat motionless while he accepted a plea deal that takes the death penalty off the table for the 2022 murders. He only spoke the single words, "yes" and "no," as the judge went through the plea. The prosecution detailed the evidence it had against Kohberger, including his Amazon purchase history of the knife used to commit the murders.        A small plane crash at Cross Keys Airport in Gloucester County, New Jersey has left multiple people injured. The incident occurred when a small plane that was reportedly involved in skydiving operations crashed near the airport in Williamstown. The Gloucester County Emergency Management described the event as a "mass casualty incident" and advised the public to avoid the area to allow emergency vehicles access.        The Pentagon says U.S. strikes have knocked Iran's nuclear program back "closer to two years." Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell gave the assessment Wednesday -- one that's more optimistic than what UN inspectors have said. Last weekend, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran could be enriching uranium in a matter of months.        The Fourth of July travel period is in full swing. Triple-A is predicting over 72 million-people will venture at least 50 miles from home over the Independence Day holiday period that started on June 28th and goes through July 6th. That's an additional one-point-three-million road travelers compared to 2024.