Labor Day with the Mill Girls and an Irish Canal Worker

"Homage to Women" by Mico Kaufman (See link for his education and works.)

Located in the Market Mills Courtyard

Market Street, Lowell, Massachusetts

"This sculpture is a tribute to Lowell's nineteenth

century 'mill girls.' The intertwined figures also

represent the struggles and aspirations of all

women throughout time."

During the annual Folk Festival in July, the courtyard is used for music and fun. You can see the sculpture on the below left picture.

The Worker

Located in downtown Lowell, MA.

Corner of Shattuck and Market Streets

This work, constructed in 1985 by Elliot and Ivan Schwartz, depicts an Irish canal worker widening the canal ways of Lowell.

The Worker

In 1821 Hugh Commisky led a 

band of laborers on a trek from

Charlestown to Lowell. With muscle

and sweat they dredged canals in

the soil of rugged farmland. As

others joined in their toil a complex

waterpower system evolved, creat-

ing a new era of textile production.

When one generation had endured

and the clamor of manufacturing

increased, immigrants came by

the thousands seeking labor and

a better life. This fountain cele-

brates workers and their contribu-

tion to industrial and human heritage.

Lowell Heritage State Park

Lowell National Historical Park

ARTIST(S): Elliot Schwartz, sculptor; Ivan Schwartz, sculptor.

DATE: Installed 1985.

From the Lowell Historical Society,

Hugh Commiskey died at his home on Adams Street, at age of 82, December 12, 1871.

 

The above photo was taken Sept. 5, 2015 (a few days after it was repaired) and shows the complete sculpture (with trolley on the right). The pry bar had been sawed off just below this worker's lower hand (see previous photo). The photo below shows the water and stone boulders at a different angle.

 

This courtyard is also a place for people to mingle or wait, as the people below are doing during the Folk Festival in July.

To Remember "Homage to Women" and "The Worker" on this Labor Day