The National Museum of Bermuda (NMB) is continuing its free Bermuda and the Atlantic World lecture series with a virtual lecture on Thursday, March 27 at 5:30 PM AT via Zoom.
Early Bermuda Indigo Resist Textiles: Unraveling Bermuda’s 17th-Century Textile Legacy will be presented by Lori Lee Triplett, a textile historian and researcher. Her research into Bermuda’s 17th century indigo resist textiles, conducted with her sister Kay Triplett, was commissioned by the Mingei International Museum and funded by the Getty Foundation.
A remarkable collection of early indigo resist textiles discovered in Bermuda has shed new light on the Island’s unexpected role in transatlantic textile trade and culture. Through meticulous research of colonial records, letters, wills, and shipping manifests, Lori Lee and Kay Triplett uncovered the origins of these intricate textiles—and their creators. Even more astonishing, matching pieces were found in America, revealing a previously unknown connection between Bermuda and the broader Atlantic World.
NMB Curator Dr. Deborah Atwood shared: “In this captivating lecture, attendees will explore the artistry behind these textiles, the trade routes that carried them across the ocean, and the ongoing efforts to preserve these rare and historically significant artifacts. The presentation will bring history to life, highlighting the interconnected nature of Bermuda’s history and its lasting impact on textile traditions beyond its shores.”
To register for this free lecture, visit: nmb.bm/lecture
NMB Executive Director Elena Strong shared: “Our Bermuda and the Atlantic World free lecture series is one of many ways that the National Museum is providing opportunities to learn about Bermuda’s past. It explores the links and the forces throughout the Atlantic World that helped shape Bermuda as we know it today.
The story of Bermuda’s early textile industry is a key and often overlooked part of this history, revealing the Island’s unexpected role in the broader transatlantic trade. By uncovering the artistry and connections behind these textiles, we gain a deeper understanding of Bermuda’s cultural and economic impact in the 17th century and beyond.”
Previous lectures in the series include:
- The Early Atlantic Age (1250-1609): Why and how did we get here? and Building a Maritime Community & Maritime State: Early Settlement & Economic Growth (1609-1800), both presented by Dr. Clarence Maxwell
- Pushing the Boundaries of Freedom presented by Dr. Kristy Warren
- Reckoning with the Slave Ship Enterprise in Bermuda, 1835 presented by Dr. Neil Kennedy
- Societal Changes in Post-Emancipation Bermuda and the ‘Friendly Society’ Effects by Dr. Michael Bradshaw
- From Hamilton to Charleston: A History of Bermuda Stone in Charleston, South Carolina by Justin Schwebler
- ‘Faint and Weary by Working in the Burning Sun’: Britain’s Convicts in Bermuda (1824-1863) by Dr. Anna McKay.
You can watch all previous lectures at: www.nmb.bm/lecture or on the Museum’s YouTube channel.
NMB’s Bermuda and the Atlantic World lecture series and education programs are supported by The Future of History Campaign. Learn more: www.nmb.bm/campaign.
About the Lecturer:
Lori Lee Triplett, Business Manager for Quilt & Textile Collections, is an award-winning writer, researcher, and artist. She has authored 16+ books, including Hidden Treasures: Quilts from 1600-1860. An international award-winning artist, Lori specializes in hand-dyed fabrics and has taught and presented at numerous universities and events worldwide.
