Jennie Stark
American, 1901 - 2003
BiographyJennie Stark (1901-2003) was well known among her relatives, neighbors, and members of the First Congregational Church of Lyme, Connecticut for her distinctive hooked rugs depicting historic local architecture, including the town library, elementary school, and most notably the barns on her farm. Hens, flags, leaves, and cats were also common elements of her designs. Jennie attended Willimantic Normal School (now Eastern Connecticut State University), Central Connecticut State College (now University, B.A.), and New York University (M.A.). She enjoyed a long teaching career in New Britain.
Jennie only began rug hooking in earnest after returning to the family farm in the early 1950s to care for her aging parents. She created over one hundred rugs, each taking around 70 hours to complete, donating several to the Congregational Church bazaar over the years. Working with hand-cut wool strips on burlap, Jennie’s rugs were known as being functional as well as beautiful. She participated in CCHAP’s 1992 exhibit “A Sense of Place.”
Jennie only began rug hooking in earnest after returning to the family farm in the early 1950s to care for her aging parents. She created over one hundred rugs, each taking around 70 hours to complete, donating several to the Congregational Church bazaar over the years. Working with hand-cut wool strips on burlap, Jennie’s rugs were known as being functional as well as beautiful. She participated in CCHAP’s 1992 exhibit “A Sense of Place.”
Person TypeIndividual
Terms
American, 1865 - 1945
Cape Verdean, 1924 - 2005
