Textiles from Cushman Sample Books

Assembled by Franklin Cushman c.1917 through the 1930s, these sample books contain fabrics that date from 1775 - 1937.

As a teacher of history and industrial design, Franklin Cushman was very interested in the development of the textile industry in New England. He created these sample books utilizing the garments within his family’s trunks to cut swatches. Many of the swatches collected inside the sample books have notations in Franklin’s handwriting stating the possible history behind the fabrics and their potential use, such as “slave gowns” or “pockets.” These fabrics can be found in other areas of the collection, like those found on the hexagonal quilts.