Living Room Lecture: Textile Production in Historic California

Lecture on 8/10/2023. Spanish and Mexican textile traditions spread throughout what is now California when presidios (military forts), missions (churches with supporting industries), ranchos (settlements focused on grazing cattle and sheep), and pueblos (towns) were established in the late 1700s. Spinning wheels and looms were built for every location. Primary documents describe how the Spanish and Mexican governments promoted the production of wool and cotton fabric, critical to the survival of populations in these remote locations. In particular, blankets made of local Churro wool were important trade items and were made in the thousands every year. Unfortunately, few fragments of historic textiles from this period exist.
As an archaeologist and fiber craftsperson, Susan Hector decided to research historic period textiles in California and then create fabrics for use in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park as interpretive and museum objects. Starting in the early 1820s, retired soldiers and their families moved from the nearby Presidio to what is now Old Town San Diego. These families represented what is often referred to as the Californio culture. As the town grew, the women combined Native, Spanish, and American lifeways to make this period of American history one of our most diverse and culturally significant. This diversity is reflected in the textile traditions of the period before California became a territory and then a state.
This presentation will focus on cotton and wool textiles made in San Diego during the historic period and demonstrate how the continued production and use of these fabrics represented the diversity of cultures in Southern California at the time and the persistence of traditional methods of production. Susan will show examples including her interpretation of Jerga, Sabanilla, and Bayeta wool textiles. She will also share the results of her research on the quilt made by Juana Machado c. 1850 and curated at the San Diego History Center.
For upcoming events visit sandiegoarchae...
About the San Diego Archaeological Center
The San Diego Archaeological Center is a nonprofit museum, education, and research facility where visitors can learn the story of how people have lived in San Diego County for the past 10,000 years. Located in San Pasqual Valley, it is the only local organization dedicated to the collection, study, curation, and exhibition of San Diego County’s archaeological artifacts.
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the San Diego Archaeological Center.