Morven Museum and Garden announced its next exhibition, “Hail Specimen of Female Art! New Jersey Schoolgirl Needlework, 1726-1860.”
This landmark exhibition is the first to focus on the important contribution of New Jersey in the creation of schoolgirl needlework in the 18th and 19th centuries.
With 151 works on view, this exhibition will undertake the first survey of schoolgirl needlework completed in the state or by New Jersey girls prior to 1860. This exhibition and accompanying catalogue will create a lasting record of the best known examples.
Organized geographically, the exhibition will feature works from every region of the state. Although many elaborate and important examples of New Jersey needlework will be featured in the exhibition, the curators have also included more modest examples that highlight other aspects of the educational environment, social class and familial situation experienced by young girls in the 18th and 19th centuries. In some cases, the exhibit will reunite, for the first time, needlework created by the same girl, sisters, cousins, schoolmates and other close relations.
The exhibition will feature loans from across the country including needlework completed in every New Jersey county.
The exhibition will occupy 1,709 square feet in five galleries within the second floor of the Morven mansion. This exhibition also coincides with the 350th anniversary of New Jersey and extensive state-wide celebration and programming.
Morven is set to host an opening symposium Oct. 5 at the Nassau Inn in Princeton. A number of presentations panel discussions are planned to discuss the significance of New Jersey schoolgirl needlework and related topics. Speakers include Stephen and Carol Huber, Amy Finkel, Leslie Warwick, Dan and Marty Campanelli and Daniel Scheid.
A lunch and lecture by Linda Eaton of Winterthur is planned for Jan. 29.
The title of the exhibition is borrowed from a needlework stitched by Trenton-born Anne Rickey (1783-1846) “Hail Specimen of Female Art” was stitched onto her sampler in 1798. Anne Rickey was the daughter of Quaker merchant, John Rickey (1751-1829) and his wife Amey Olden (1757-1849).
The full text reads:
Hail specimen of female art
The needle’s magic power to show
To canvas various hues impart
And make a mimic world to grow
A sampler then with care peruse
An emblem sage you may find there
The canvas takes what forms you choose
So education forms the mind.
A National Historic Landmark, Morven is situated on five acres in the heart of Princeton. Built by Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, this former New Jersey Governor’s Mansion showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Garden State through regular exhibitions, educational programs and special events.
Morven Museum & Garden is located at 55 Stockton St., Princeton.
More information is online at morven.org.
