The picture below really doesn't do it justice so follow this link for a lovely color photo. http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_556249
It is a red and white embroidered coverlet from 1922 that was probably used as a fundraiser for the Clarksville Reformed Church. Each of the 48 flowers has 12 petals covered with various names and inscriptions. Most petals are simply names or signatures.
Here's what is written on the petals of one flower:
Rev. Boyce
Pastor
Peggy
His wife
Rex
Their dog
Clarksville
Reformed
Church
Fair
Dec 8th
1922
Another flower has only two names, Clara Weidman and Faith Weidman along with beautifully embroidered flowers within the flower petals. Right next to Clara and Faith's flower is one that is clearly an advertisement - carefully written out on each petal is the following:
The
Lowest
Priced
Fully
Equipped
Automobile
Gardner
Wright
Chevrolet
Motor Cars
Economical
Transportation
Remember this is 1922!
Go to the website above and zoom in and around on the petals and you'll find lots of Bethlehem/New Scotland family names like Houck, Slingerland, Relyea, Pangburn and Glenn just to name a very few.
And yes, I know Clarksville is not in Bethlehem, but what a wonderful snip-it of local history.
And just because I can, here are three old Clarksville postcards.
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