Museum exhibit chronicles labor in America

LYNN – For a city built on labor, particularly the labor of immigrants, an interactive exhibit on the history of American work seems fitting for Lynn.?The Way We Worked,” on display through Dec. 1 at Lynn Museum, is a national show provided by the Smithsonian Institution, that provides a visual educational display of the history of American workers.The show also has an addition by the museum on Lynn?s unique work history.?I can?t believe how much we?ve progressed in a blink of an eye,” said Dr. Catherine Latham, superintendent of Lynn schools.According to museum assistant director Abby Battis, the show has been a hit with Lynn students.?In the first 12 days we saw over 1,500 students come through the door,” said Battis. “Tours are booked solid.”According to Battis, the show began Oct. 12 and has attracted many visitors. The museum wanted to ensure accessibility to students by waiving entry fees for all school group tours and will continue to do so until the end of the show.Museum director Kate Luchini also explained a recent photography competition for local students. The winners were announced during the Nov. 19 sponsor reception.Winners were RAW Art students Kadeem Dalley, first place, Tanisha Garner, second place, and Deondre Rivera, third place. The theme for the competition was people at work. The winners went out and photographed various people working in Lynn and their images were displayed in the museum, along with the exhibit.Battis and Luchini said having the exhibit brought to Lynn was not an easy task, but with the help of the Lynn Cultural Council, the application was accepted and grant money provided.?As a group we all know what the museum does for the community,” said Dave Parsons, the former chair of the Lynn Cultural Council who helped get a grant for the exhibit. “People don?t realize what?s available here ? it?s a diamond in the rough.”Battis and Luchini say that due to Lynn?s own rich history of labor and industrial foundations, Lynn was the perfect location for the exhibit and everyone, including Smithsonian, agreed.?I think it?s a very fitting exhibit for Lynn,” said Jocelyn Almy-Testa, current chair of the Lynn Cultural Council. “I think it speaks to the spirit of how this city was built.”According to Luchini, the museum is already planning its next exhibit, on the history of transportation. The exhibit is scheduled for sometime in the spring, and Luchini is hopeful for a successful show, given this season?s great turnout.?I?m just very excited that we?ve been able to reach a huge population in the city,” said Luchini. “It?s been a terrific experience.”