LATROBE, PA – The Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery will host a free and public opening reception celebrating its new exhibition of antique coverlets from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, in the Fred M. Rogers Center on the campus of Saint Vincent College.
The exhibition, titled “The Lives and Times of 1846,” celebrates the College’s 180th anniversary with a collection of 25 antique bed coverlets handwoven by skilled artisans in 1846, including five coverlets woven in Westmoreland County. The event will include light refreshments, door prizes, crafts and a scavenger hunt.
In July 1846, Rev. Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., set out from Germany to establish a monastic community in Pennsylvania. In November, he founded Saint Vincent College and Archabbey.
But what was life like in Westmoreland County at that time? Curated by senior history major Isabella Jolly of Los Lunas, New Mexico, “The Lives and Times of 1846” invites visitors to explore that year in history with a focus on the lives of everyday people. The exhibition provides a window into the past through newspaper clippings, historic art and artifacts, and the collection of decorative bed coverlets, including those made by five different Westmoreland County handweavers.
Following the opening reception April 16, the exhibition will remain on display through September 2026. The gallery is located on the ground floor of the Rogers Center. Admission and parking are free. The gallery is open during the academic year from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and by appointment. Guided tours are also available. Hours of operation vary during the summer as staff may be traveling for research. If you plan to visit in June, July or August, first contact the gallery to ensure it is open.
For additional information, visit www.coverletgallery.org, follow the McCarl Gallery on Facebook or contact McCarl Gallery curator Emily Barth at emily.barth@stvincent.edu or 724-805-2188.
