| The Historic 1908 Courthouse continues with our commitment to preserving our heritage for future generations with an important textile display. Featured in the downstairs Conference Room are the handmade coverlets and counterpanes woven by Fannie Halsey Gambill. Fannie Gambill was an extremely talented and prolific weaver, who made over 21 coverlets & counterpanes during her lifetime.
Fannie Halsey Gambill was born on July 19, 1869 in Piney Creek, NC. She was the daughter of Josiah and Fannie McMillian Halsey. She married Jessie A. Gambill, a farmer, on June 19, 1889 in Ashe County, NC. They made their home near the forks of the New River at Crumpler, NC. Fannie was the mother of several children and a housewife. She became a widow early in life and died on April 28, 1910, at what we would now consider the early age of 41.
Fannie was a spinner and weaver of flaxed linens, flax and woolen coverlets and cotton counterpanes. The complete process of growing and preparing the fibers was carried out on the Gambill homestead near the North & South Forks of the New River in Ashe County. The traditions of raising flax and weaving linens continued through the 1800’s and early 1900’s in this part of Appalachia.The coverlets are displayed with furniture and cloth making tools and period clothes, which were worn by Fannie.
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