Ayden Museum Open on Sat. 9/10 for
2022 Ayden Collard Festival
A special treat awaits Collard Festival goers with a very short side trip to the Ayden Museum. Handmade quilts by local Ayden resident George Snyder will be on display in the museum's art gallery during and a few weeks after the Festival. Five completed quilts and two quilt tops will show examples of his creativity. On Saturday (September 10) Snyder will be in the museum from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to discuss his choices of design, his method of construction, and demonstration of his process. He will answer related questions from quilters and non-quilters alike.
Snyder, his wife, and son moved to Ayden from Charlotte in 2004 looking for small town life. A former art teacher and a continuing decorative arts painter, he accepted a position in a prominent Greenville floral business. Fifteen years later a back injury prompted early retirement. As a form of occupational therapy, he reprised an earlier interest in quilting--and that, as they say, is history.
Quilt repair, heirloom quilt restoration, commissioned quilts, and quilts of his own design are now Snyder's labors of love. He utilizes the techniques of early southern farm women in his personal creations, finding patterns and colors from mid-nineteenth century forward, even locating patterns indigenous to North Carolina. Hand quilting was the modus operandi of those women. In his own creative works, Snyder does use a minimal amount of machine stitching, and that little bit on a 1954 Singer!
There is no admission fee at the museum, which is located on Second Street just steps from the Festival activities, although donations are welcomed. One lucky visitor will win a special door prize! After meeting with Snyder, seeing his work, and gathering a little quilting information, visitors can go next door to the Community Building to see the 2022 Collard Festival Art Show and the awards.
We look forward to seeing your smiling faces there!
Snyder, his wife, and son moved to Ayden from Charlotte in 2004 looking for small town life. A former art teacher and a continuing decorative arts painter, he accepted a position in a prominent Greenville floral business. Fifteen years later a back injury prompted early retirement. As a form of occupational therapy, he reprised an earlier interest in quilting--and that, as they say, is history.
Quilt repair, heirloom quilt restoration, commissioned quilts, and quilts of his own design are now Snyder's labors of love. He utilizes the techniques of early southern farm women in his personal creations, finding patterns and colors from mid-nineteenth century forward, even locating patterns indigenous to North Carolina. Hand quilting was the modus operandi of those women. In his own creative works, Snyder does use a minimal amount of machine stitching, and that little bit on a 1954 Singer!
There is no admission fee at the museum, which is located on Second Street just steps from the Festival activities, although donations are welcomed. One lucky visitor will win a special door prize! After meeting with Snyder, seeing his work, and gathering a little quilting information, visitors can go next door to the Community Building to see the 2022 Collard Festival Art Show and the awards.
We look forward to seeing your smiling faces there!
The Ayden Museum is now open 3 days a week!
Every Wed, Thurs, and Sat
10:30 AM to 2:30 PM
You read that right! Click the button below for more info!
Stop by and see us!
Stop by and see us!
Welcome!
Welcome to the Ayden Historical and Arts Society webpage. Our mission is to preserve and celebrate the history of our community and the rich tradition of its peoples' artistic endeavors.
For latest news and updates, click the "News" button below.
For latest news and updates, click the "News" button below.
A Brief History of Ayden
In 1891, a farmer in the southern part of what is now Pitt County, decided that a portion of his farm would make a great place to live if only it had a railroad depot. William Henry Harris was able to convince the Atlantic Coast Line of the same, and soon a 40 acre parcel of land was divided into residential lots surrounding a depot in "Harristown," with Mr. Harris owning every other lot. Within the next several years, lots were sold and homes built. Businesses began to spring up to support the new residents, and on February 3, 1891, the town was incorporated as "Ayden," a name, as area storytellers claim, discovered by a local on a map of the world. Within a few years, the Carolina Christian College and the Free Will Baptist Seminary were established. By 1919, Ayden had full-time electricity supplied by the Ayden Municipal Power Pant. In 1922, the Mutual Building and Loan Association of Ayden was organized to help families obtain mortgages to build homes in Ayden.
After experiencing tough times during the Depression, and after the Second World War, the town began the long period of prosperity that continues today. To accommodate this growth, commercial, cultural, religious, and other establishments have sprung up within and around Ayden. Medical clinics, recreation programs and parks, churches, restaurants, and other public and private facilities have developed and expanded.
Today, Ayden encompasses over 3 square miles and is home to over 5000 residents. The community is continuing to prepare itself for new growth as Pitt County continues to develop as a major industrial and economic center for eastern North Carolina. While focusing on progressive planning and growth management for the future, Ayden, home of the annual Ayden Collard Festival, is continuing to strive to maintain the character and quality for which the town has become known as a community of "small town atmosphere with big city convenience."
After experiencing tough times during the Depression, and after the Second World War, the town began the long period of prosperity that continues today. To accommodate this growth, commercial, cultural, religious, and other establishments have sprung up within and around Ayden. Medical clinics, recreation programs and parks, churches, restaurants, and other public and private facilities have developed and expanded.
Today, Ayden encompasses over 3 square miles and is home to over 5000 residents. The community is continuing to prepare itself for new growth as Pitt County continues to develop as a major industrial and economic center for eastern North Carolina. While focusing on progressive planning and growth management for the future, Ayden, home of the annual Ayden Collard Festival, is continuing to strive to maintain the character and quality for which the town has become known as a community of "small town atmosphere with big city convenience."
