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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Monday, September 5, 2016

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