with Lynne Z. Bassett, Textile Historian and Guest Curator

Included with Museum Admission, no advance reservation required

Guest curator Bassett offers an up-close examination of a selection of the bed rugs, an important form of American folk art in the current exhibition, New London County Quilts & Bed Covers, 1750-1825. Bassett’s presentation will address the who, what, and where as well as beguiling questions such as where did the inspiration for the designs come from and what if any are the connections between makers?

Image: Philena McCall (1783‒1822), Lebanon, Bed rug, 1802. Homespun wool tabby-weave ground fabric and embroidered dyed wool yarns, running chain stitch, with natural wool ground, cut pile, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, Connecticut, American Decorative Arts Purchase Fund, 1972.11.