By Rachel Hellwarth
Serving with Arthurdale Heritage
During my year of service as an AFNHA AmeriCorps member at Arthurdale Heritage, my primary focus has been on archival projects related to Arthurdale’s textile collections and community development initiatives tied to the site's fiber arts programming.
In the archives, I was able to use my academic background in textile histories to complete cataloging projects benefiting the identification and preservation of AHI’s entire textile collection of about 600 artifacts, primarily related to weaving. From 1934 onward, handicrafts such as weaving played an important role in the lives of Arthurdale homesteaders. Woven goods were produced to suit individual household needs as well as commercially as a source of income. The textile inventory project involved research and identification of weave structures, finishing techniques, and methods of making. It also meant safe keeping of the collection; careful object handling while updating collection storage in accordance with archival standards, and documentation/labeling to prevent dissociation of collection material.
Updating storage of woven goods in AHI’s textile collection
A highlight of my service was connecting with the members of the Arthurdale Heritage Fiber Arts Guild! I was excited to take on the role as coordinator of the fiber guild having already been an involved member of West Virginia’s oldest active guild; the Mountain Weavers Guild. I really valued the opportunities in skill-sharing and community connection that a guild invites. I aimed to grow Arthurdale’s guild by giving it additional structure; I served as a primary point of contact facilitating communication between members and organized accessible workshops and other activities in conjunction with the predetermined monthly meetings, building enthusiasm for Fiber Arts in the region and expanding on historical connections within various fiber practices. I learned so much from the guild members in Arthurdale and enjoyed the chances for collaboration with other groups in the region as well, paying mind to the broader fiber arts community in West Virginia. It was also my first time getting to teach weaving through a series of three overshot classes I organized and led. Since learning to weave, I have felt a strong sense of importance in preserving these traditions. I knew I wanted to educate and pass on the craft in the same way that it was taught to me. This is also something I anticipate expanding upon in the near future.
Reading drafts with students in Rachel’s overshot weaving workshop
One of the focused projects I got to work on at Arthurdale followed my love for overshot weaving. Arthurdale Heritage has many overshot examples from the 1930s and 40s among their collections and two favorites “Ancient Rose Design” and “Maltese Cross,” both of which appear in Marguerite Davison’s “A Handweaver’s Pattern Book.” I designed a temporary exhibit to showcase a selection of our woven artifacts correspondent to a guild workshop focused on learning more about the weave structure and creating modern samples of these historic weaves. Not only did this serve as an introduction to the structure for guild members, it also had a hands-on component that could serve as an approachable way to try it out for the first time.
1 - 2025.13.06, Rose design overshot table runner from the archives
2 - Woven sample, “Ancient Rose Design,” on an Arthurdale loom
3 - “Ancient Rose Design” draft from “A Handweaver’s Pattern Book,” by Marguerite Porter Davison
4 - 2024.31.48 Woven sample, "Maltese Cross" overshot from the archives
5 - Woven sample, "Maltese Cross" overshot on Arthurdale loom
6 - “Maltese Cross” draft from “A Handweaver’s Pattern Book,” by Marguerite Porter Davison
At Arthurdale, I enjoyed the interconnectedness of everything I got to contribute to, the opportunity to learn more about the non-profit sector, expand my knowledge on weaving through object-based research, and witness everyday the effects of a strong community with shared goals. Without a team of passionate individuals and the backing of a supportive and collaborative community, these spaces and infrastructures could not exist, and I am grateful for all the learning opportunities and support I received along the way.
Rachel working on inventory projects in the archives
Exhibiting a selection from Arthurdale’s collection of overshot weaving
