February 22, 2011

In October, Gene Odato, District Forester, met with Kathy Wright, Director of Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village, while she was doing research in Perry County for an upcoming publication and exhibit on Magdalena Briner Eby’s hooked rugs. Gene was inspired by the story and hooked rugs; he was even more intrigued to learn that Magdalena had once lived on the property that is now the Tuscarora State Forest. His interest led him to contact Sharon Lee of Community Partnerships RC&D administrators of the PA Quilt Trails to inquire about a “Trail Rug” for the State Forest.

The Quilt Trail, a national project commonly referred to as “Quilt Trails”, creates squares (usually 8’ x 8’) which mimic the design and colors of a particular quilt square and then mounts them on structures across the countryside. Gene then contacted Rug Hooking Magazine’s Editor, Debra Smith, who also lives in Perry County. The magazine was very enthusiastic about the project and generously offered to sponsor the “Trail Rug”. The first “Trail Rug” of the PA Quilt Trails will be unveiled summer of 2011 at the Tuscarora State Forest District Office on Route 274 in Perry County, Pennsylvania.

The “Trail Rug” design for the Tuscarora State Forest was selected from one of Magdalena’s hooked rugs from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s and which now belongs to one of her descendants. The unveiling of the “Trail Rug” will not only commemorate the craftsmanship of this creative Perry Countian but also the strong Pennsylvania connection to the folk art of rug hooking.

Magdalena was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania in 1832 where she designed and hooked rugs from about 1850 to the early 1900’s. These rugs were created for utilitarian purposes and used throughout the home as floor mats. The materials used were mainly old clothing as nothing went to waste at that time. Today Magdalena’s hooked rugs are treasured and highly sought after by avid collectors of American folk art and antiques.

An exhibit and publication featuring the life and hooked rugs of Magdalena Briner Eby will debut August 17-20, 2011 at Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio. This exhibit and publication are the culmination of many years of research and planning by Evelyn Lawrence, respected rug hooker and teacher, and Kathy Wright, Director of Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village.