Cobblestone Museum hosting program on historic coverlets
Photo by Tom Rivers: There are about 20 coverlets from the 1830s and 1840s on display at the Thompson-Kast Visitors Center for the Cobblestone Museum. The coverlets will be discussed in a tour and program Nov. 11 by Marty Schlabach.
CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum will host Marty Schlabach from the Finger Lakes region, who will present an educational program at 1 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Thompson-Kast Visitors Center on the Cobblestone’s Orleans County 19th’s century coverlet collection.
The event will include a guided tour of the coverlet collection. A free will donation will be accepted.
Title of the program is “Orleans County Coverlets and their Weavers: What Have We Learned?”
Marty Schlabach
Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum, describes coverlets as “woven bedcovers.”
“In the 19th century, most American homes had spinning wheels and looms,” Farley explained. “A wide array of types of cloth was woven by the women of the family for household use, including geometric patterned coverlets. There were also professional weavers who wove specialty textiles and earned some or all of their living practicing their trade. Figured & Fancy coverlets were one of the specialty items and they required specialty equipment, usually only found in the professional weave shop.”
Following an introduction to coverlets, the coverlet weavers of Orleans County will be highlighted in this presentation, Farley said.
Schlabach became interested in coverlets though his wife, Mary Jean Welser. She has been interested in and collected textiles for many years, with a particular interest in quilts. Some time, more than 10 years ago, while pawing through a pile of textiles at a local estate sale, Welser came across two whole late 18th century quilts and one geometric patterned coverlet. This started their interest in, exploration and collection of coverlets.
As a retired librarian, Schlabach particularly enjoys the historical research associated with learning about coverlets and their weavers. He continues his interest in libraries as president of the board of the Interlaken Public Library.
He is a member of the board of the National Museum of the American Coverlet in Bedford, Pa., and two years ago, started a monthly online coverlet study group. In addition to their interest in coverlets, Marty and Mary Jean spend substantial time gardening and working on their 1840s Greek Revival farmhouse.
Reservations for the coverlet program are strongly suggested by calling (585) 589-9013 or e-mailing director@cobblestonemuseum.org.
