Ipswich-to-Ipswich: History through Art

Ipswich, Massachusetts will soon be host to an extraordinary work of art from Ipswich, England. The “Charter Hangings” chronicle a thousand years of Ipswich, UK history in textile art.

Commissioned by the Ipswich, UK Arts Council, the eight 3 x 5' panels depict events and places in fabric, embroidery, leather, and metallic thread. Textile designer Isabel Clover and a team of over 40 created the scenes, which begin with the Viking raid on Ipswich in 1069. Considered Ipswich’s version of the Bayeaux Tapestry, the series presents eight periods of history, including Georgian, Victorian, and 20th century. The River Orwell flows through them all.

Prior to arriving in Ipswich, MA, the Charter Hangings are being displayed in Jamestown, Virginia as part of the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown colony. Because the “two Ipswiches" are inextricably linked, a group of Ipswich, Massachusetts civic and cultural leaders, including Historical Society president Nat Pulsifer, have planned a special exhibit of the artwork here, along with a series of community activities. "Ipswich-to-Ipswich: History through Art" will take place from May 18 to August 1, 2007. The Charter Hangings will be displayed at several locations throughout Ipswich, including the Society's Heard House Museum from July 27 to August 1. The Heard House exhibition has been made possible by the generosity of Ipswich Cooperative Bank

For more information about the Charter Hangings, and a schedule of activities, visit www.ipswichtoipswich.com.