Our Mission
The McCarl Coverlet Gallery is a non-profit cultural organization that collects, preserves, interprets, and disseminates the history of weaving and folk traditions in the Northeastern region of the United States.
The Gallery aims to foster a knowledge and appreciation of history among the members of the Saint Vincent Community and the general public. The Gallery will also engage the academic faculty and student community to the fullest extent and make the exhibit space and collections into a tool for learning and practice of many different disciplines.
The McCarl Coverlet Gallery carries out research, exhibits, publications, education, and interpretive projects to carry out its mission of preserving and interpreting the history of weaving and folk traditions in Northeastern America.
The Gallery may, from time to time, acquire artifacts and other objects consistent with its purpose, according to generally accepted museum practice and in keeping with proper operation of the McCarl Coverlet Gallery. Read more about our collections policy here.
Why coverlets?
“Where else can you find an item that has the name of the weaver who created it by hand, the name of the person it was woven for, the date and the community where the work was completed? When you have a coverlet with all this information, you have found an indisputable piece of American history.”
— Foster McCarl
Why in the Fred Rogers Center?
We are honored to be housed in a center dedicated to the legacy of Fred Rogers. In several episodes of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, Fred spoke with makers about their craft. He always made a point to appreciate the skill and care that they put into their work, and to ask about the people who would receive and use the items being made.
Being in the Fred Rogers Center reminds us to consider coverlets as more than just the threads they’re made of. They embody the stories of their makers and owners, and they give us a window into the interconnected lives of real people, past and present.