EXHIBITIONS AND FACILITIES

This rug loom was donated to the Pioneer Woman Museum in 1969, by the Andrew Family. The Giant Manufacturing Company’s 45-inch fly shuttle loom belonged to Louisa and William Edward “Edd” Andrew. Both were native Oklahomans. After living a brief time in Colorado, they moved to Newkirk, Oklahoma and purchased the carpet- weaving loom.

Edd and Louisa worked together at weaving rugs. With this and other odd jobs, they supported their family. After Edd died in 1933, Louisa continued weaving for Newkirk families. People would bring balls of rags to her, already prepared, and she would weave the rugs from their materials.

Items used for the rugs included worn clothing, discarded fabric and flour and grain sacks. Such functional rag rugs added comfort and warmth wherever they were utilized. The materials used for the rugs were cut into two-inch wide strips and rolled into balls. These could then be loaded into the “shuttle stuffer.” The loaded shuttle would fly across the loom, making a unique design.

The loom was manufactured in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the late 19th or early 20th century. With the ease of ordering from mail-order houses, such as Sears & Roebuck, weaving faded from the scene. However, it has made a comeback in the last two decades as an art form. Rag rugs woven on this loom are available for purchase in the Pioneer Woman Museum gift shop.

The Children’s Corner offers fun and educational activities to the young and young-at-heart, including the quilt block design table and other fun activities.
		The Education Center highlights include craft demonstrations, special exhibits and events, The Pioneer Woman Museum Wall of Fame, and group programming,
The What Is It? Game features unusual and interesting objects from the past. Have you ever seen anything like it? Do you know what it is? If you can’t figure it out, the answer is behind the door!
		The Heart of the Home explores the daily lives and chores of the pioneer women of 1893. The exhibit features an interactive area, and visitors, young and old alike, can sit down and try their hand at spinning, knitting or quilting.