Riverbend Museum Debuts “Threads of Time,” a Textile‑Art Exhibition Celebrating Local Heritage

The Riverbend Museum of Fine Arts opened its newest permanent exhibit, Threads of Time: A Textile Journey from 19th‑Century Looms to Contemporary Weaves, on Monday. The 12‑panel showcase, curated by resident artist‑scholar Maya Patel, highlights the city’s rich textile history—ranging from the hand‑spun silks of the early settler era to the vibrant, eco‑friendly fabrics of today.

Visitors can walk through the “Founding Fabrics” gallery, where original 1800s muslin samples hang beside photographs of Joseph Stone’s early loom workshops. A 45‑minute audio‑guided tour, narrated by Museum Director, Thomas Nguyen, explains the migration of textile techniques to Stonebridge’s modern textile‑manufacturing district, now a hub for small‑scale artisans.

In a special “Community Weave” corner, local high‑school students display their own hand‑stitched pieces inspired by the exhibit. The exhibit will run through the end of November, with free community‑workshop evenings on Thursday nights featuring a “Patchwork for a Cause” event that supports the Stonebridge Arts Foundation.

“The museum has always been a place where history and creativity collide,” said Mayor Elena R. Hartman at the opening ceremony. “This exhibit is a testament to how our city’s heritage still shapes our contemporary culture.”

Tickets are free for residents and open to the public at the museum’s standard hours (10 a.m.–6 p.m., Mondays–Sundays). For more information, visit www.riverbendmuseum.org or call 724-888-0003