Berea College

Perhaps the first efforts to promote a craft revival in the mountains came from the president of Berea College, Dr. William Goodell Frost. Frost, who had assumed his duties in 1893, began touring mountain communities, and was attracted by the handwoven coverlets that he found. He purchased several and gave them to Berea donors as gifts. Frost also discovered that there was a demand for such textiles, and Berea began buying and marketing the products of local weavers, a program that became known as the Fireside Industries. To encourage consistent high quality, in 1896 Berea also began to hold "homespun fairs" during commencement week, and prizes were given for the best woven work in a variety of categories.

Fireside Industries, in addition to accepting the work of local weavers, also began to teach weaving to college students and allowed them to barter weaving for their tuition. In 1911 Mrs. Anna Ernberg of Sweden became director of the Fireside Industries. Under her direction, the program moved from the marketing of products of older women to an emphasis on student weavers, who quickly numbered some four hundred. A weaver herself, Ernberg designed a compact, lightweight loom that was constructed by Berea students and sold to other organizations interested in weaving. She also restored a number of old weaving drafts or patterns, and developed new ones based on traditional designs.

Indexes:
 Ernberg Loom  | Berea College Ladder Back Chair