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Bethel Museum hosts visiting exhibit from Julia A. Purnell Museum

Needlework artist's works on display Jan. 12 to March 16
January 11, 2014

The Bethel Museum invites the public to visit an exhibit from the Julia A. Purnell Museum in Snow Hill, Md. Purnell was born in 1843. She created many types of needle art throughout her life, including quilts, cross-stitch, and embroidery. At age 85, Purnell began embroidering scenes of homes, churches, and gardens in Snow Hill. She entered her art in hobby and craft competitions and won many prizes. She was well known and respected, and in 1941 she was inducted into the National Hobby Hall of Fame. The Purnell Museum houses many of her works, tools she used, and memorabilia from her long life. She died in December 1943 shortly after her 100th birthday.

Today, the Julia A. Purnell Museum also offers exhibits interpreting many aspects of Worcester County, Maryland history. This visiting exhibit shows several examples of Purnell’s needlework, a few ladies’ dresses from the Victorian era, and several artifacts from Worcester County’s historic past.

This exhibit will be open to the public from 2 to 4 p.m. on the following Sundays: Jan. 12 and 26, Feb. 9 and 23, and March 2 and 16. The Bethel Museum is at 312 First St. in Bethel. Its permanent historic maritime exhibits will also be on display.

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