Marianne Kerr received her BA in Sociology from the University of Minnesota and Master’s Degree in Adult Education from the University of Alaska. After college she joined the VISTA program, an experience which spurred her to pursue a career in volunteer programming and management, going on to receive her CVA credential. She is particularly proud of a communal sewing project she organized called “Pillow Patrol.” Using only donated materials and sewing machines, volunteers — many who had never before used a sewing machine — made over 3,500 pillowcases to donate to youth in the foster care system in Alaska. She has worked with volunteers in numerous nonprofits across Alaska, and ended her working career as a faculty member in the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service. Marianne currently resides in Alaska, where she remains an avid crafter and sewer.

Lover of all things fabric, particularly quilts, Marianne became especially intrigued by thimbles. She assembled an impressive thimble collection over the course of her life, keeping detailed notebooks documenting the acquisition of each, including where, when, and how much they cost. We proudly hold a dozen of her books on the subject as well as over 600 of her thimbles. Marianne Kerr’s collection can be viewed here.

“To me, thimbles are an intriguing tool used by women to create masterpieces. I believe thimbles are also integral in portraying women’s history. Something so small, used so often and so well, helps portray women’s place in historical timelines.” 

— Marianne

Titi Halle is a leading dealer, specialist, and enthusiast of textiles and historic costume. She first encountered the world of textiles in 1979, when she began working for the pioneering dealer Cora Ginsburg (1910–2003), and in 1997 became owner of Cora Ginsburg LLC. She was the 2017 recipient of the Bard Graduate Center Iris Foundation Award for Outstanding Dealer. Her expertise has been sought for committees at international art and antiques fairs including The European Fine Art Fair and the Winter Show, and she has lectured at museums and organizations across the US, including Colonial Williamsburg, Detroit Institute of Art, Smithsonian Associates, Sotheby’s Institute, and the Textile Museum.

In 2020, Titi donated about 350 volumes from her professional library to BLUE. These volumes, which cover a range of topics relating to studies in textiles, needlework, historic costume, and fashion, are part of the extensive book collection begun by Cora in the 1930s and expanded upon over the years by Titi. These volumes represent both Titi’s and Cora’s lifelong passions for textiles and costume. Titi’s collection can be viewed here.

Glee Krueger (1938-2018) was a pioneering collector and scholar of American samplers. Born in Chicago, she went on to study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She became interested in American antiques after her family moved to Connecticut and purchased her first sampler in 1963. Glee would continue to collect American schoolgirl needlework for over 50 years. Her enthusiasm for American samplers led to a friendship with renowned collector Theodore Kapnek. In 1978, she organized an exhibition of his samplers for the American Folk Art Museum in New York and wrote its accompanying catalog, A Gallery of American Samplers: The Theodore H. Kapnek Collection. That same year Old Sturbridge Village published Glee’s New England Samplers to 1840. A charismatic speaker and teacher, Glee gave over 100 lectures to historical societies, museums, and graduate folk art classes. She herself was an embroiderer and member of the Embroiderers Guild of America.

In addition to a remarkable collection of samplers, antique textiles and textile objects, Glee amassed a vast library of textile books. We are proud to house nearly 300 of her volumes, mostly related to needlework. We also have a small collection of her objects, in particular a selection of antique measuring tools. Glee’s collection can be viewed here. 

For more information about Glee Krueger and her work, click here.

Carolyn J. Headley (1938-2021) was a beloved Home Economics teacher, devoting 33 years of her life to teaching students all manner of domestic tasks, including mending. She was passionate about folk art and antiques, particularly in the primitive style. She collected widely but particularly prized tin cookie cutters and darning tools. The library holds approximately 500 darners avidly collected over the course of her life. Carolyn’s collection is currently being processed and will soon be available to view.