National Museum of the American Coverlet Exhibition - Stay at Home and Use Me Well

This exhibition of items from the Kitty Bell and Ron Walter collection focuses on the tools and processes used in textile production for the American home and farm during the late 18th and early 19th centuries opens on 26 September 2009 and will reain in place for around one year. The exhibition title comes from a flax hatchel dated May 18, 1797 and decorated with the names John Mathewson and Lyda Mathewson along with the inscription STAY AT HOME AND USE ME WELL.
The transformation of flax plants into linen, and wool fleeces shorn from sheep into yarns for woven blankets, coverlets, grain bags, bed sheets, hand towels, tablecloths, etc. was an arduous and time consuming process carried out year after year, in order to keep the family clothed and protected. An extensive array of early tools and equipment such as a flax brake, a grain bag stamp, a wool wheel finger and spinning wheels will be presented, along with examples of the textiles produced.
In conjunction with the exhibition opening, nationally known textile experts will offer a symposium on Saturday, September 26. Speakers will include Ute Bargmann, Dr. Trish Herr, Tandy Hersh, An Moonen, Michael Taylor, Marjie Thompson and Ron Walter.
On Sunday, September 27, the exhibition will open to the public with a special birthday party to celebrate the 150th year of the Museum’s building.
Click here for details. Click here for a registration form.