Historic Nantucket, October 1979, Vol. 27 No. 2

Two Hundred Years of Nantucket Needlework AS A FEATURE of the summer at the Peter Foulger Museum, there has been a special exhibit in the north room, second floor, with the intriguing title of "Two Hundred Years of Nantucket Needlework" This unusual exhibit was gathered and displayed by Mrs. Elizabeth Gilbert and her committee, and sponsored by the Nantucket Historical Association. A booklet was especially prepared by Mrs. Gilbert and contains an astonishing listing of articles selected from the Association's collections, including samplers, lace caps, fire screens, pincushions, embroidered bags, wall hangings, sewing boxes, quilts, flags and petticoats. The loan collection has an equally diversified selection of coverlets, quilts, throws, samplers and aprons. The Maria Mitchell Birthplace loaned em­ broideries, samplers, a wedding skirt, and a fire screen. The Theatre Workshop loaned material from its costume collection.

In her introduction to the catalogue, Mrs. Gilbert wrote: "The concept of "Two Hundred Years of Nantucket Needlework" developed partly from an awareness of, and appreciation for, the early embroidered treasures being shown at the various Nantucket Historical Association houses and museums, and, more recently, the packing up and removal of the contents of the Fair Street Museum to the Hadwen Satler House. There was considerable concern expressed as to what was going to happen to these treasures so, last winter, with the assistance of many willing hands, approximately one hundred of the best and/or most historically interesting pieces were sorted, laundered, repaired, cleaned, catalogued and prepared for this special exhibition.

"Simultaneously, word was spread throughout the Association membership and the community that personal treasures were being sought from houses and attics for display as a loan collection. The response with approximately forty more pieces was extremely gratifying, and produced some fascinating and beautiful examples.

"In choosing the name for this exhibit, it was purposely left ambiguous as to which two hundred years of Nantucket