08/21/2026
Coming Soon! Rug Hooking exhibit! 🎉🙂
Thank you to our summer programmer, Lexie Whynot-Dowse for preparing this post.
Rug hooking is a variety of fibre art where loops of fabric are pulled through a woven backing with a hook, creating intricate patterns and designs. The first hooked rugs used linen as a base and bent nails with a wooden carved handle as the hook. In the 1850s, when burlap became more widely accessible, it became the preferred backing for rugs, favoured due to its durable material.
Rug hooking has deep roots in Mahone Bay, originating from necessity before it was considered a creative medium. It began as a facet of housework to keep the floors warm. Mothers would often teach their children about rug hooking so they could work on rugs, or cut fabric strips. Rug hooking was also practised by sailors to pass the time during long voyages.
Hooked rugs were commonly used to insulate homes, and would be resourcefully positioned as barriers to prevent the room from becoming cold. It was common for families with lower incomes to hook their own rugs especially through re-purposing material. Many traditional hooked rugs were made up of strips of old clothing.
Rug hooking was also appreciated by upper-class individuals. Percy Inglis, a wealthy business man from Mahone Bay sold hooked rugs in his shop on West Main Street. He designed the rugs, but hired local women to hook them. Percy mapped out the design, while the manual work was done by local women. The joint-forces of creativity and skill worked together to produce a breath-taking statement rug.
The Mahone Bay museum is currently putting together a fresh rug hooking display, and we look forward to sharing it! The exhibit will feature local textile art, including an in-depth view of Percy Inglis’ creations, historical pieces, as well as a recent creation by Susan Brown. We encourage you to come check it out in the coming weeks.
