The Naugatuck History Museum continues its America 250 series, Stories That Shaped a Nation. These free community programs highlight the many people, experiences, and ideas that helped form our early nation, inviting us to learn from voices that shaped New England life during the Revolutionary era.
The Web They Wove: Women and Their Wardrobes during New England’s Revolution
This program looks beyond famous battle reports and political debates to reveal the essential work of women whose choices in textiles, clothing, and fabric production influenced the course of the American Revolution. Through their steady labor and resourceful decisions, women across southern New England supported households, communities, and the broader fight for independence. Their lives, whether dressed in homespun wool or delicate silk, offer meaningful lessons about creativity, resilience, and care during a time when their world was changing rapidly.
Costumed historians from The Dirty Blue Shirts share stories of these women along with reproduction garments, fabric samples, and a visual presentation of surviving historical pieces. Their program explores the myths of homespun, tales of midnight rides in red cloaks and calashes, and the daily work that helped sustain families while conflict unfolded around them.
The Dirty Blue Shirts is an experiential history collective of living historians, scholars, and artists based in eastern Connecticut. Its members first worked together in maritime museum settings both aboard tall ships and as historic roleplayers on land. Today they bring high quality research based programming to museums and historical sites throughout New England. Their work spans environmental history, blacksmithing, fiber arts, woodworking, historical dress, traditional music, theatre, and more. Whether in everyday clothing or full period attire, they are dedicated to sharing the richness of American history with accuracy, care, and enthusiasm.
We welcome the community to join us for this thoughtful and immersive look at the women whose hands and choices helped shape the Revolutionary moment.
