Innovations of Yesteryear Festival September 12, 2008

Elln Hagney
617-823-5081
Charles River Museum of Industry
154 Moody Street
Waltham, MA 02445

7/14/08
For Immediate Release
Run Through September 13, 2008

INNOVATION of YESTERYEAR

WALTHAM - What do mini trains and a super-sized cameras, printing presses and quilters have in common?
Come find out at “Innovations of Yesteryear, “ a hands on new festival hosted by the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation on Saturday , September 13, 2008. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Families may take a ride on a miniature train, see steam engines in action, hear one of the world most unusual instruments (a sarrusophone), and type a letter to their Nanas on a 1920s typewriter.

Hosted on the banks of the Charles River in Waltham’s Landry Park, the event offers visitors the opportunity to learn how to use spinning wheels, discover how a clock works, fire a Viking catapult and more.

“This event could be taken from the pages of Dr. Suess. Imagine the ‘noise, noise, noise’ of over fifty exhibitors showcasing interactive innovations of the past. We want to create an event where all the senses are stimulated where children ‘s imagination is stirred and they can explore and create,.“ said Elln Hagney, the museum’s Director of Education and Development.

Innovations of Yesteryear, sponsored by Berkley Investments, Inc, Northland Investment Corporation, and the 128 Business Council, does just that. It encourages visitors to work with the tools of our past, to enjoy the music of our forefathers, and play some of the historic games. Hagney said, “It was the museum collections and the festival location that served as the inspiration for the event. Landry Park is located on the site of the world’s first integrated textile mill, and the museum’s collections feature a myriad of Waltham’s industrial triumphs, from Waltham Watches to antique automobiles.” Hagney is also quick to point out that the city itself has been a great source of inspiration. With two universities and over five hundred corporations in the city working on everything from biotechnology to glass harmonicas, it seems fitting that this city whose inventions have made such an impact on the world celebrate the innovations of our past.

Hosted in conjunction with the citywide Historic Waltham Days organized by Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy, Innovations of Yesteryear takes place on September 13, 2008 from 10 am to 4 p.m.. Refreshments are available. Admission is $10.00 for adult and $5.00 for children, students and seniors, children under the age of five are admitted free. Festival admission includes all festival and museum exhibits. For more information or directions visit www.crmi.org or call 781 893 5410.

The Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation is located under the smokestack at 154 Moody Street in Waltham The museum is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is wheelchair accessible.

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Official Website: http://crmi.org