National Museum of the American Coverlet

National Museum of the American Coverlet

National Museum of the American Coverlet
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
NMAC is the only full-time, year-round, independent institution devoted to the display, preservation and study of antique American woven coverlets (bedcovers). The Museum is open seven days a week. Visitors are given an informal talk about the coverlets they'll be seeing. Questions are encouraged. Currently, the (approximately 1,000+) collection includes coverlets made between 1771 and 1889. Exhibitions change periodically. Generally there are about 80 to 100 coverlets on display along with "period" beds and bedding, and spinning and weaving equipment including looms and a rare Jacquard head. We are located in a former Common School building (dating to 1859) in the historic district of downtown Bedford, PA. And yes, there is a museum gift shop!
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles95 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
18
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1
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Stan M
Bethel Park, PA9 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
My wife is in to crafts, so visiting this museum during an overnight stay in Bedford was perfect. The curator/owner gave a very interesting background of coverlets. We learned a lot about what they are, how they are made, and their place in history. The coverlets on display were beautiful. The collection of looms and assorted tools was fascinating. Highly recommend visiting.
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carol757
Springfield, VA4,268 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
We spent a night in Bedford on our trip north and decided to stop here before hitting the road again. What a great find! Housed in an old school building, this is a well-curated look at the history of the American woven coverlet. The selection of coverlet designs, organized by the states in which they were made, was fascinating, and it was also interesting to see the looms on which they were made. The staff is passionate about coverlets and will provide as much information as you want.
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joseph K
Pittsburgh, PA135 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
The coverlet museum was a fascinating exhibit that reveals how coverlets were created. We listened to a brief overview by a knowledgeable curator that was very interesting. We were informed that quilts were made from existing material whereas coverlets were made from raw materials such as flax and wool. You tour the exhibits in different rooms on your own. The coverlets were arranged by the region of the country from which they were made (i.e.: the South, Pennsylvania, Ohio. Indiana etc.). The detail displayed on the coverlets was so intricate that they were surely made by artisans. The looms that made the coverlets were so large, heavy and costly that most coverlets were made by men working for a wealthy merchant. The looms reminded me of my grandmother’s loom on which she made “rag” rugs. Allow at least one hour to view the exquisite coverlets.
Written 8 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Julia B
Springfield, NJ160 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
The manager of the museum and her husband gave us a personal talk regarding the coverlet exhibit and what to look for as far as design, owner and weaver. Very interesting.
Written 28 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

oscar1592
Madison24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
Enjoyed the many coverlets and displays of the equipment used to make them. The curator was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot talking with him. Having this museum in the historical school is a good use of the building.
Written 10 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

William S
Ridgway, PA1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
Very unique and interesting examples of period craftsmanship, its evolution and the machine ages effect on it. Beautiful examples of coverlets and the tools used in its manufacturing are on display. We now see many of these items in antique stores and stored away in trunks, but don’t understand the pride of place these once held in the home, where they were both a necessity and a form of art. Check it out.
Written 21 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marianne D
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020 • Solo
Lovely surprise. Don’t be fooled by the building appearance; it is open. Park on the side and enter through the front door. I thought I would be looking at quilts but was property educated otherwise. If you enjoy textiles, you will enjoy looking at the coverlets, currently from New England. They change the displays in the spring. I was educated on the difference between the geometric designs of the loam versus the Jaquard (?) French method that allowed any design. The coverlets are in superb condition. Not a hugh place so if you like to read about all the designs it will take awhile but if you are just a “looker” it could be fairly swift. At you own pace museum. I was greeted by a lovely gentleman who gave me the quick history lesson.
Written 14 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your kind comments. It was delightful meeting you - come back soon!
Written 15 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

kkuch2017
Lancaster, PA39 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
This museum is a unique collection of woven coverlets. The knowledge of the curator is amazing and he's happy to share his stories and information regarding the making of these historical pieces in this museum. It's in an old school which is an interesting setting. I appreciate the care and research they've done to make this museum authentic and historical regarding this lost art.
Written 11 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for coming in! We love talking with our visitors, and is always a pleasure to see that they like and appreciate what they see here. Come back soon!
Written 12 December 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Karen H
84 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Family
Fascinating history of the American coverlet. Take time to listen to Laszlo’s talk. We learned so much from him. Wonderful collection of looms, spinning wheels and coverlets. The artistry of the coverlets on display is superb. Definitely worth the $10 donation. Love that they are preserving the old schoolhouse. Got to see them working on restoring some old looms.
Written 30 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much, Karen. You and your group were wonderful. It was a pleasure visiting with you. We are always very happy to spend time with folks who are interested in the coverlets and their history. Come back again soon!
Written 31 July 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

AndrewPenna
Bensalem, PA90 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019 • Couples
Spent a great time here seeing the displays and soaking up the knowledge of the curator Laszlo. Loved it.
Written 2 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN COVERLET: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about National Museum of the American Coverlet

National Museum of the American Coverlet is open:
  • Sun - Sun 12:00 - 16:00
  • Mon - Sat 10:00 - 17:00