86 handmade blankets were created for the Welcome Blanket project hosted at the Mill Museum from December 1st, 2022- February 26, 2023.
In March 2023, with the help of our partners at AALV in Burlington, the blankets will be given as a gesture of welcome to Refugees and new Americans in our community.
These blankets are part of the national Welcome Blanket Project. People across the USA of all ages and backgrounds are knitting, crocheting, or sewing blankets to celebrate the arrival of our newest neighbors. Many of these blankets include notes from the people who made them sharing stories about their families' own immigration.
The Heritage Winooski Mill Museum decided to host the Welcome Blanket project in honor of our community history. Years ago, the mill workers in Winooski produced woolen blankets for another cause: to keep our US military warm. Then and now, Winooski has welcomed immigrants from all parts of the globe. The Welcome Blanket project gives us a new way to connect with our city's rich textile history, celebrate our heritage, and support each other.
Thank you to everyone who participated in welcoming our newest community members!