Mary Wise Coverlet, made by Elizabeth Perkins Wildes Bourne (1766-1854),
1810, 111 1/2" x 108 1/2"overall with corner cutouts. Brick Store Museum Collection, 85.7. Gift of Mrs. John B. Corning.

It is believed that this coverlet was custom made in 1810 for the bed that merchant Daniel Wise (1761-1825) had built for his daughter, Mary (1793-1825). The coverlet has "Mary Wise 1810" woven into the top edge, and the work is attributed to Elizabeth Perkins Wildes Bourne and her daughters Suzanne, Elizabeth and Abigail. The Bournes and their home manufacture of cotton coverlets in Kennebunk are discussed extensively in the book, Agreeable Situations: Society, Commerce and Art in Southern Maine, 1780-1830, published in 1987.

The coverlet is considered a true treasure of The Brick Store Museum, not only for its size and intricate workmanship but also because so much is know about the makers and subsequent owner. As part of the ongoing stewardship of museum collections, it is sometimes necessary to undertake special measures to conserve an artifact. Such was the case with the Bourne coverlet, which was exhibiting signs of significant discoloration from years of use, folding, traditional washing and display. The Museum sent the coverlet to a trained conservator for evaluation and treatment in November 2006. To treat the coverlet, it was first gently vacuumed to remove any particulate soils and pollutants. In a huge shallow tub in the conservator's studio, the coverlet was immersed in warm water. This released significant discolorations, and the wash water became the color of strong tea. After several rinsings, the coverlet was wetcleaned in a .3% solution of Orvus WA Paste and rinsed once again. It was then transferred to a 50-liter bath with .01% sodium borohydride bleach solution and agitated slightly for 3 hours. Borohydride is considered a "mild and highly selective reducing agent" used for cellulosic bleaching. The coverlet was rinsed once more to remove the bleaching agent and then allowed to air dry beneath cotton wicking cloths.

The coverlet as it appeared prior to treatment (November 2006). Note the long narrow area of degradation discoloration, likely due in part to where dirt built up over time both when folded and in its many years of use and display.		Conservator Camille Myers Breeze (left) works with the Museum's registrar, Kathryn Hussey, to carefully pack the coverlet in acid-free tissue paper for transport to Museum Textile Services in Andover, MA. The Mary Wise bed--temporarily sporting a different coverlet--is in the background, along with an image the coverlet's maker, Eliza Bourne.		The coverlet as it appears after treatment--also pictured at top (February 2007). The stain has disappeared completely.