Rug Hooking Week Highlights

For the past 14 years, rug hookers from across the country have traveled to Ohio for Sauder Village Rug Hooking Week – one of the top rug hooking events in the country. With hundreds of hooked rugs on display, workshops, lectures and special displays – 2010 Rug Hooking Week is again a spectacular celebration of this traditional craft.

Each year the “Sauder Award” is presented to the piece that best exemplifies the spirit and mission of Sauder Village. For 2010 the three-dimensional “Noah’s Ark” received this award. With an overall height of 5’ 7” and weighing more than 300 pounds, this massive project includes more than 104 individual hooked animals and people, and is sure to be an inspiration to guests of all ages. “Noah’s Ark” is one of the many spectacular pieces in the Featured Exhibit – highlighting special pieces by the late Mary Sheppard Burton and Leonard Feenann. The display is an outstanding representation of their creativity, style and advanced techniques. We’re thrilled to have Mary’s granddaughter joining us for the week to help share her grandmother’s stories along with Leonard.

From the “Celebration Rugs," Special Exhibits, Retreat Teacher Exhibits, and “Happy Holiday” Challenge Rugs to the main exhibit featuring U.S. and International works by category – it’s difficult to describe the beauty and creativity on display this week at Sauder Village. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, we’ve created a short video to give you a look inside Founder’s Hall. We’ve also found it interesting to visit this show through the eyes of a rug hooker. Gene Shepherd, one of our retreat teachers for 2010, has posted many photos and thoughts about Rug Hooking Week on his blog: http://geneshepherd.com/blog1/ We hope you’ll take a look at his site as well for a unique look at our special event.

And if you look at these photos and become “hooked”, there’s still time to join us – Sauder Village Rug Hooking week continues through Saturday, August 21st. We hope you’ll join us!

Volunteers Help Bring History Alive at Sauder Village

For long-time volunteers Jack and Vivian Taylor, time spent at Sauder Village means much more than just giving train rides or selling souvenirs in the Gift Shop. For this special couple, the time they spend together at Sauder Village is an opportunity to meet people from around the world, spend time with special co-workers, and help keep Erie Sauder’s dream alive.

“We just love it at Sauder Village,” Jack and Vivian shared. “The people are wonderful and it is great to be a part of what’s happening at Sauder Village!”

The Taylors are just one example of the hundreds of volunteers who share their time and talents each year at Sauder Village. In 2009, 340 people gave 14,422 hours of their time at Sauder Village.

While the jobs may vary, the volunteer profile remains the same . . . friendly, outgoing individuals, who enjoy working with people! There are opportunities to provide administrative support, help with collections or educational programming, work in the historic gardens or help in the Gift Shop. Volunteers also work as historic interpreters, help with historic trades, and help in the Quilt Shop.

It takes the support of many people to continue the legacy Erie started so many years ago. Volunteers play an integral role at our non-profit organization and we are thankful that so many people throughout the tri-state area share their time and talents at Sauder Village.

Interested in getting involved? Stop by the Sauder Village Welcome Center or give us a call for an application (800.590.9755). We’ll do our best to work with you and your interests to find the best volunteer opportunity for you at Sauder Village!

Become a Part of the Sauder Village Family!

As we prepare for our annual Member’s Night celebration this evening, we thought it would be appropriate to reflect on the important role members play in continuing our mission at Sauder Village.

Member support helps our non-profit organization to continue preserving and communicating the values and traditions of the early heritage of the Great Black Swamp of Northwest Ohio from 1803 through the turn of the 20th century. The Historic Village provides a unique opportunity to experience rural life and to watch skilled craftsmen at work.

Not only is a membership a great way to enjoy fun and educational experiences all year long, but by becoming a member you are joining others in supporting the preservation of the past for many generations to come. Your membership helps in so many ways, from developing valuable educational programs, to preserving precious objects no longer used in our modern lives to perpetuating fine, hand-made traditional American crafts.

Interested in learning more about how to become part of the Sauder Village family? Visit our website for more details: http://www.saudervillage.org/development/default.asp

Thanks to all of our members and we hope you’ll consider becoming a part of the Sauder Village family!