The Exhibition
The visual impact and beauty of the award winning Quaker Tapestry, a celebration of life, people and events across the centuries, inspires all those who visit. Often compared with the Bayeux Tapestry, this modern, internationally created exhibition reveals a myriad of stories within 77 captivating and colourful embroidery panels.
Since the dawn of recorded history, craftspeople have used their skills to tell stories. Such a record is the Quaker Tapestry – made in a form known as ‘narrative crewel embroidery’. As with the famous Bayeux Tapestry, it is a hanging which tells a story.
The Quaker Tapestry has been described as a celebration of Quaker experience and insights over 350 years, though Quakers would hasten to add that they do not, by any means, lay sole claim to them. Nevertheless, it is a timely reminder of the contribution these non-conformists have made to the modern world.
As well as the Quaker Tapestry itself, our exhibition includes several other exhibits and activities to complement your visit.
2009 sees the exciting and innovative display of the Barrett Friendship Quilt.
A major work of art in the Quaker Tapestry collection, this 19th Century quilt has connections to the Victorian Art World, William Morris and Queen Victoria herself. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of its completion, this embroidered quilt will be on display for the first time from 6 April 2009 at The Quaker Tapestry Exhibition Centre in Kendal.
In 2009 we will 
also continue our popular ‘Weapons of the Spirit’ display.
Combining images and artefacts, the display brings to life the ways in which Quakers from the 17th Century to the present day have worked for peace in times of conflict across the world. To complement this display, we have introduced a new interactive feature, which tells the stories of Dutch and German Quakers who risked their lives to help escaping German Jews during the Second World War in Holland. One of these stories takes place in a house on the street in Amsterdam where Anne Frank was hiding.
Within our beautiful 19th Century Meeting House, the exhibition is professionally designed to give easy access to wheelchair users and caters for all those with disabilities. The audio guides give the oportunity to hear the stories and more information about the panels of embroidery.
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