Vermont Sampler Initiative: Sampler ID Days

Friday, April 21 – 1 p.m.–4 p.m., by appointment only. This time is reserved for individuals and organizations with 3 or more samplers. – FRIDAY SOLD OUT
Saturday, April 22 –  10a.m – Noon and 1 p.m.–4 p.m., either walk-in or by appointment.

Shelburne Museum is a host site for the Vermont Sampler Initiative, a statewide effort to locate, photograph, and document all American samplers and related girlhood embroideries held in the public and private collections of Vermont.

The Vermont Sampler Initiative is working to locate, photograph, and document all American samplers from the 17th- to 19th- centuries for inclusion in the Sampler Archive, an online searchable database of American schoolgirl needlework (samplerarchive.org).

The Vermont Sampler Initiative is looking for anyone with samplers to share them with this effort. Volunteers are also sought to help with documenting samplers either at the events or online.

For more information or to make appointments contact: samplersvt@gmail.com

Other Upcoming Sampler ID Days:

• Vermont Historical Society, Barre, VT May 12 and 13, 2023, 10 a.m.–4 p.m

What to expect at Sampler ID Day:

The goal of the Vermont Sampler Initiative is to document all American made samplers and schoolgirl embroideries in the state whether made here or elsewhere. Sampler ID Days are events that give you the opportunity to share your piece of history with the Vermont Sampler Initiative.

You will be asked to sign a permission form

• This form gives your permission to have your sampler(s) photographed and to be posted on the Sampler Archive web site. (Samplerarchive.org) It is also the place where you can choose to have your name included or to remain anonymous.

Your sampler(s) will be registered

• The sampler will be assigned an ID number and a title, usually the name of the maker and date (e.g.: Mary Ann Robinson, 1802)
• This information and your contact information will be entered into the database

Your sampler(s) will be professionally photographed

• You will receive a copy of this photo by email several weeks after the event

Attributes of your sampler(s) will be recorded in an on-line database

• Sampler history
• You will be asked how you acquired the sample (e.g.: inheritance, gift or purchase); how you are related to the sampler maker; and any other information you might have such as where it was purchased.
• It would be helpful if you could make a copy of this information to leave with organizers.
• Maker and family history
• What do you know about the maker of this sampler? Do you know the names of her parents, siblings, husband and/or children?
• Again, it is helpful if you can make a copy of this information to leave with organizers.

Vermont Sampler Initiative volunteers will be available to talk about samplers and to answer your questions.

Pre-registration: If you have three (3) or more samplers, please pre-register so that an appointment time can be assigned to minimize waiting time. Pre-registration is optional for those with one or two samplers; walk-ins are always welcome. Pre-register by sending an email with the following information to: samplersvt@gmail.com

• Your name and email address
• The name and date on each sampler you will bring
• Preferred time for your visit. You will receive an email in return with your appointment time.

Participation in the Vermont Sampler Initiative is offered as a free service to those who want to share their samplers. It is funded in part by a grant from the Vermont Council on the Humanities and by donations from participants and others. We welcome your donation to help us complete this exciting project. Thank you.