Crafting for Necessity
Weaving is a human tradition. It been around for centuries (potentially as far back as 6000 BC!) and remains an important craft to many in the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area.
Anyone who has been to or lives in our region knows that the steep, curvy roads can be rough in a car, let alone in a horse and buggy on dirt paths. This rough terrain influenced early settlers to become independent from the outside world. Abundent resources found in the natural world allowed for weaving fabric for their clothes, towels, and rugs using wool, made baskets, furniture, and houses out of wood products, and relied on the land for much of their subsistence.
Any skilled craftsman will tell you quanity leads to quality. Many settlers in our region were able to make a living out of crafting.
Richard Sloan
“The Stone House”
Richard Sloans house in Hampshire County, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Credit: Arun Prakash
Richard Sloan started a thriving weaving business in 1790 in Hampshire County after running away with his 'bosses' daughter. He had come to the United States shortly after the Revolutionary War from Ireland where his family had settled after leaving Scotland. He became an indenctured servant to David Van Horn of Philadelphia but he soon ran away with Charlotte, daughter of Van Horn.
Charlotee and Richard built a house outside of Romney and started a family-run weaving business. Their house was large; which fit their many children, but also the space required for the many stages of woven goods.
The trade in woolens and linens must have been satisfactory locally, for the family of twelve continued in the business until near the middle of the nineteenth century before selling the property to three Parker brothers in 1854.
Industrial & Depression Era
The logging and coal mining boom (about 1890-1920) brought more stores, making fabric more commercially available and weaving no longer a necessity. Despite the market availability of materials, many people maintained this traditional skill, especially during the Great Depression.
Weaving was a staple for social interaction in isolated communities. Both the Tygart Valley and Arthurdale Homesteads had cooperative weaving rooms where men and women would gather to share news and gossip while making items for their homes.
Weaving Room at Athurdale
These two photos are from the weaving room in Arthurdale. Arthurdale was the first homesteader community of it’s type, located in Preston County, WV. Homestead communities were created by the US Government for relief from the hard economic times during the Great Depression.
Credit: West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries
Weaving at the Tygart Valley Homesteads
The Tygart Valley Homestead was developed on approximately 2,500 acres of farmland between Rich and Cheat mountains, about 10 miles south of Elkins in Randolph County. They, like Arthurdale, had active weavers.
Credit: Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection
Homespun and Handmade
The Appalachian Forest Discovery Center’s 2016 exhibit Homespun and Handmade, celebrated the people of the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area’s long tradition of making by hand what was needed for both survival and pleasure. From functional objects to works of decorative art, this tradition continues on today and has resulted in a material culture unique to the area. The exhibit was broken up into three categories: music and dance, hunting, and crafts.
Join in!
The weaving tradition is alive and kicking today in AFNHA. Many towns and communities have weavers guilds. Members of weaving guilds gather to share ideas and projects, and often teach classes to younger generations, passing along the folk knowledge associated with the craft. Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins offers professionally taught weaving classes each summer as well, and celebrates other regional crafts, music, dance, and food.
You can join in on this great tradition by weaving your own coaster at home! All you need is cardboard, yarn, and an hour of your time. Find step by step instructions here!
