Tea and Textiles
with Caroline

Learn what textiles can tell us about patriotism, fashion, and flags during “Textiles for the 250th,” a virtual symposium on Saturday, January 31, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm ET. This 2026 edition of the Schwenkfelder Library &  Heritage Center’s annual online “Tea & Textiles with Caroline” offers three hour-long lectures.

The afternoon kicks off with a lecture by independent scholar Lynne Z. Bassett on “Federalist Fathers and Republican Mothers: The Fashions of John and Abigail Adams.”  Collector Dawn Cook Ronningen presents new research in “Evidence of Patriotism From the Sewing Box.” Dr. Marla Miller from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, looks at "Betsy Ross: The Life Behind the Legend"—the legend of the seamstress and real-life of the Philadelphia upholster and flagmaker Elizabeth Griscom Claypoole. Continuing the flag theme, a free mini-lecture by Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center curator Candace Perry will examine “Sewing the Symbol: A History of Flag Factories in Southeastern Pennsylvania.”

The cost of these virtual lectures will be $20 each, with all three for $50. The free bonus lecture comes with any purchase as well as a tea bag and recipe card (so that you really can have your tea with your textiles). In addition, your ticket purchase allows you to receive a recording link so that you may watch the program up to one month after the event.

$50 for all 3 lectures


1:00 — 2:00pm ET Federalist Fathers and Republican Mothers:
The Fashions of John and Abigail Adams

Lynne Bassett, Independent Scholar, Curator, and Author

$20

2:15 - 3:15pm ET Evidence of Patriotism From the Sewing Box

Dawn Ronningen, Collector

$20

3:30 - 3:50pm ET Sewing the Symbol: A History of Flag Factories in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Candace Perry, Curator, Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center

Free with the purchase of any lecture.

4:00 - 5:00pm ET Betsy Ross: The Life Behind the Legend

Dr. Marla Miller

$20