Volunteer Highlight: Mattie Ali

Madelon “Mattie” Ali has been one of DRHS’s most stalwart supporters and volunteers for more than 30 years.

Mattie’s generosity, sense of humor and leadership can be felt across a wide range of activities, from the development of exhibitions, to greeting guests as a tour guide, to working on education programs and more. She helped in the DRHS Gardens and Clean Up Days; she was a longstanding feature in the success of the annual holiday celebrations at King Caesar.

But what she is most noted for was the formation of the Historic Clothing Committee (now the Historic Clothing & Textile Committee). For decades, Mattie has sought the latest research, professionalized collections care of our collections, and worked to create outreach and educational efforts, characterized by the ongoing Threads of Duxbury’s Past exhibit at the Duxbury Free Library which features changing clothing exhibitions.

Her enthusiasm for historic clothing and her realization that it provides a unique and relevant connection to the past has been instrumental in the success of her work, as is evidenced by the ongoing strength of the Committee and its participants. Mattie’s inquiries and networking have resulted in many opportunities for the DRHS to speak with an learn from professionals in the field, and to work with other organizations.

A regular at the staff offices of the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society, Mattie became “one of us,” working long hours in her beloved clothing collection.

Mattie leaves the DRHS and Duxbury to move to Colorado to be with family and with that, we wish her bon voyage! Mattie, thank you for all that you have done to make us what we are today.