National Museum of the American Coverlet

08/15/2025

Sign up now for our upcoming Coverlet College weekend in Bedford, Pennsylvania - hope to see you here!

08/06/2025

AMERICA UNDER COVER(LETS)
The Foundation of Our Independence

The National Museum of the American Coverlet in Bedford, Pennsylvania salutes the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. In doing so, we honor the hard-won efforts of the folks who made this country great.

The vivid imagery seen in figured coverlets offers insight into the sentiments of the weavers who produced them, as well as the clients who purchased them and displayed them in their homes.

In addition to the usual florals and other decorative patterns, coverlets often display patriotic pattern motifs and even political commentary. Slogans like LIBERTY, UNION, UNDER THIS WE PROSPER, and more, demonstrated the weavers’ enthusiastic pride of country. Images of presidents, capitol buildings, eagles and flags proliferated throughout the 1830s and beyond, when America was still relatively new and “feeling its oats” after military and trade successes on land and at sea. After all, democracy was a whole new concept, it was working, and they had earned it!

Through the 85 coverlets now in display, NMAC is proud to offer this tribute to the hard work, artistic talent, and pride of the makers of these wonderful textiles, for all to see.

06/19/2025

The program schedule for Coverlet College 2025 is now complete. Dates are September 26, 27 and 28. Check it out at www.coverletmuseum.org.

This will be our Fourteenth annual seminar covering both "basic" and "advanced" topics (we use these terms loosely), including presentations, hands-on opportunities, optional workshops and a show-and-tell session. If you want to know more about coverlets, this is the series for you. There is something for everyone, including collectors, researchers, antiques dealers and just regular folks.

Don't be intimidated. We welcome folks at all levels of expertise, or the lack of it. Meet and share with other "coverlet people" and have a nice time, some good food and a full weekend away from all your normal distractions.

Questions? Call the Museum at 814.623.1588 regarding schedule, registration and special reduced motel rates - or to use your credit card. We look forward to seeing you here in beautiful Bedford, Pennsylvania.

The National Museum of the American Coverlet is the first independent, year-round institution devoted to American woven coverlets. It sponsors exhibitions, classes, and special events, and offers fabrics using motifs taken from coverlets in the collection.

05/21/2025

Seeking Presentation Proposals

The National Museum of the American Coverlet will host its annual Coverlet College in Bedford PA on September 26, 27 & 28, 2025.

The Board and the Director welcome proposals for presentations at this annual educational and social gathering of coverlet collectors, historians, weavers, dyers and other fiber and textile enthusiasts. Held at the Coverlet Museum, in historic Bedford, PA, the event incorporates the viewing of the new exhibit, AMERICA UNDER COVER(LETS) – The Foundation of our Independence.

Potential presentations should be related to coverlets, weaving, spinning, dyeing, and other fiber and textile-related topics.

Conference registration fees are waived for Coverlet College presenters. A special room rate at a local hotel is available for conference attendees. We look forward to considering your proposal.

Submit your topic by June 15 for consideration by emailing your name, title, presentation description and brief bio to [email protected] .

National Museum of the American Coverlet
322 S Juliana Street
Bedford, PA 15522
814.623.1588
[email protected]

The National Museum of the American Coverlet is the first independent, year-round institution devoted to American woven coverlets. It sponsors exhibitions, classes, and special events, and offers fabrics using motifs taken from coverlets in the collection.

02/13/2025

It is with a heavy heart that we must postpone the Barb Carroll Memorial Hook-In for 2025. Due to scheduling and commitments we have moved this event to May 15-17, 2026.

We apologize for any disappointment this causes.

See you in 2026!

Keith and Theresa

01/20/2025

Reminder: Take the opportunity of this snow day to check out our latest newsletter, YARNS, at the Coverlet Museum website - www.coverletmuseum.org. You will see the link at the top of the right-hand column on the home page. It's 20 full color pages of news! Mark your calendar for this year's Barb Carroll Memorial Hook-In (May 16/17/18) and the 14th Annual Coverlet College (Sept 26/27/28). We look forward to seeing you here in beautiful Bedford, Pennsylvania.

01/07/2025

Just announced - new winter hours for 2025. We will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, January through March, except by appointment. Open other days as usual and looking forward to kinder weather!

12/17/2024

Great activity for a cold day – Our current exhibition! The Four Seasons in Color and Pattern - Each of our four main display areas is devoted to a different season, taking the visitor through the year in coverlets from Spring to Summer and Fall to Winter.

Old or New - Original or Reproduction? An additional space is devoted to a pairing of "period" coverlets with contemporary copies and/or reproductions. It's good to know the difference!

As always, full color catalogs are available for purchase.

08/15/2024

IT’S FINALLY HERE! Coverlet College 2024 program schedule, registration form and scholarship information are all posted on the website at www.coverletmuseum.org. Mark your calendar for September 27-28-29 and plan for a visit to beautiful Bedford, Pennsylvania and an action-packed coverlet weekend. Special reduced motel rates are available – call The National Museum of the American Coverlet at 814.623.1588 for more information.

The National Museum of the American Coverlet is the first independent, year-round institution devoted to American woven overlets. It sponsors exhibitions, classes, and special events, and offers fabrics using motifs taken from coverlets in the collection.

04/12/2024

04/12/2024

Reminder!
Friday – Sunday, May 17-19, 2024
Our First Barb Carroll Memorial Hook-in, Rug Show
and Coverlet Museum Fundraiser

We are thrilled to announce the 2024 Barbara Carroll Memorial Hook-in and fundraiser for the National Museum of the American Coverlet. Barb was a much-loved designer and teacher of rug hooking. Her artistry was well known and respected, with students, friends and admirers travelling from around the country and Europe to learn from and work with her.

Barb was a long-time friend of the Coverlet Museum. Her Woolley Fox hooked rug designs were truly “Cool Beans.” (link: https://rughookingwithbarbcarroll.weebly.com/2013-national-museum-of-american-coverlets-workshop--hook-in.html We did lots of neat things together and it was always great fun.

Help us celebrate Barb’s contribution to the rug hooking world and to the Coverlet Museum. We’ll enjoy three full days of rug hooking, vendors, tasty lunches and more. Registration will include access to the Coverlet Museum and its current exhibition BIG NEWS as well as a Rug Show focusing on hooked rugs color planned, designed or taught by Barb.

Organized and hosted by Keith Kemmer, a great “hooker” and designer in his own right, this is guaranteed to be a fun time, with great people and wonderful things to see – and we look forward to making this an annual event.

Send email to: [email protected] for details and registration form for the May 17-19, 2024 Memorial Hook-in. This way Keith can capture your email address to send you information.

In 2013, Barb worked with Laszlo and Melinda Zongor of the National Museum of the American Coverlet to design hooked rug patterns inspired from antique American coverlets. The museum is in an old...