Centering Traditions: The Renaissance Center, A Hub of Varied Information

Amherst, MA – Tuxedo jackets worn by the extremely wealthy inhabitants of New York, originated from the Algonquin word Tuxedo, meaning “wolf”, later the name of a town in New York along the Hudson River. This example of an “American Indian” word transferring into the English language along with many other place names was spotlighted by Rachel Hare Mustin, the featured lecturer for the first of a series of lectures sponsored by the Massachusetts Center for Renaissance Study. Mutin explored how, when and in what way “American Indian” terms entered the English lexicon.  The migration of terms began almost immediately after first contact between “American Indians” and colonists and/or traders from Europe.  The Renaissance Center is host to many similar discussions in their broaden scope of the Renaissance period.

Generally speaking, the time span for the Renaissance period is acknowledged to have transpired roughly beginning in the 14th century in Italy and spread all over Europe throughout the 17th century.  However, the Renaissance Center defines itself as a place of “research, teaching, and dissemination of all aspects of literature and culture in the Early Modern Period,” which would therefore include the literature and culture developed outside of Europe.  This broadening of boundaries is evident in all aspects of the Center’s spectrum of activities and services offered.

The Massachusetts Center for Renaissance Studies was established in 1998.  The building which houses MCRS is located on a 30-acre picturesque estate not far from the hustle and bustle of the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus.  It was willed to the University in 1994 from Winthrop and Janet Wilder Dakin, who originally purchased the property and built their Tudor-style house in 1948.  The library housed in the MCRS includes over 25,000 texts, manuscripts and other assorted media archives as well as approximately 700 rare titles.  This collection of materials pertaining to Early Modern Era (more commonly known as the Renaissance Era) is quite a unique concept here in the United States, currently it is one of only five dedicated offices, and the only center that is housed in its own building.

Even with all of this success the director of the Center Arthur F. Kinney is not resting on

his laurels.  Recently, the MCRS has embarked on a Capital Campaign to commemorate

their ten years of service as well as further their position as the premier Renaissance

Center in the United States.  They are planning on raising $4.2 million to build a new

theater on their estate, a Great Hall.  This “theater lab” will recreate the environment of a

15th century playhouse wherein performances will offer a more authentic experience,

both for the performers and the audience.  Construction for this project is slated to begin in 2011 as the MCRS has already received a $500,000 grant from the UMass Administration and the Department of Theater. 

For more information about the Massachusetts Center for Renaissance Study or to make a donation in support of the construction of the Great Hall, please contact Lucinda Kidder at 413-577-3600, or visit their website: http://www.umass.edu/renaissance.