The Old Stone House Museum & Vermont Sampler Initiative
Sampler and Embroidery ID Days
June 7 – 8, 2024
Do you own an antique sampler or embroidery made before 1900? If yes, please share your piece of history with us!
The Vermont Sampler Initiative is working to identify, photograph, and document all American made schoolgirl embroideries made before 1900 that are in public and private collections in Vermont.
Embroidered samplers, maps, and pictures were an essential component of a girl’s education and give insight about their lives, families, and communities. Your heirloom will add to our understanding of the history of women and girls in Vermont and beyond!
The images and information we collect will be included in the online national Sampler Archive (samplerarchive.org) and be available to historians throughout the world. The Vermont Sampler Initiative is looking for anyone with samplers to share them with this effort. Volunteers are also sought to help with documenting samplers either at the events or online.
Hours
Friday, June 7, 2024 10:00 – 4: 00 | By appointment only
Saturday, June 8, 2024 9:30 – 2:30 | By appointment or walk in
To make an appointment or learn more contact: Samplersvt@gmail.com
The goal of the Vermont Sampler Initiative is to document all American made samplers and school embroideries in the state whether made here or elsewhere. Sampler ID Days are events that give you the opportunity to share your piece of history with the Vermont Sampler Initiative and the world.
You will be asked to sign a permission form
This form gives your permission to have your sampler(s) photographed and to be posted on the Sampler Archive website (Samplerarchive.org). You can choose to have your name included or to remain anonymous.
Your sampler(s) will be registered
The sampler will be assigned an ID number and a title, usually the name of the maker and date (e.g.: Mary Ann Robinson, 1802). This information and your contact information will be entered into the database.
Your sampler(s) will be professionally photographed
You will receive a copy of the photo by email several weeks after the event.
The sampler(s) will be recorded in an online database
- Sampler history – You will be asked how you acquired the sampler (e.g.: inheritance, gift, or purchase); how you are related to the sampler maker, if applicable; and any other information you might have such as where it was purchased. It would be helpful if you could make a copy of this information to leave with organizers.
- Maker and family history – What do you know about the maker of this sampler? Do you know the names of her parents, siblings, husband and/or children? Again, it is helpful if you can make a copy of this information to leave with organizers.
Vermont Sampler Initiative volunteers will be available to talk about samplers and to answer your questions.
Pre-registration: If you have three (3) or more samplers, please pre-register so that an appointment time can be assigned to minimize waiting time. Pre-registration is optional for those with one or two samplers; walk-ins are always welcome. Pre-register by sending an email with the following information to samplersvt@gmail.com.
- Your name and email address
- The name and date on each sampler you will bring
- Preferred time for your visit.
- You will receive an email in return with your appointment time.
Participation in the Vermont Sampler Initiative is offered as a free service to those who want to share their samplers. It is funded in part by a grant from the Vermont Council on the Humanities and by donations from participants and others. We welcome your donation to help us complete this exciting project. Thank you.