1776 HOOKED RUG PROJECT Celebrating the 1776 - 2026 Semiquincentennial

What is a Semiquincentennial?

A Semiquincentennial is a term for a 250th anniversary, meaning "half of five hundred". 

2026 marks the 250th year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the United States. 

The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and voted for the independence of the United Colonies by passing the Lee Resolution on July 2, 1776. The Declaration of Independence, mainly written by the Committee of Five member Thomas Jefferson was proclaimed on July 4, the date on which the anniversary of independence is observed.

In anticipation of the commemoration of this milestone event in 2026, our Guild began planning our participation in 2025.

Members got busy working on rugs/mats representing the colonial period (ie: patriotism, independence, life in the time, regimental flags, slogans, historic people/places/things), creating adaptations, and original or commercial designs. 

The guidelines included writing a brief description of their piece connecting it to the revolutionary period, be historically correct and completed by December, 2025.  

As of this date, our rugs will be exhibited throughout 2026 in nine venues, large and small….historic homes, cultural center, libraries, and a museum….in Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, NJ, and in Bucks County PA.

In addition, all rugs will be included in a slideshow created for venues with a wide screen that can be played throughout the year. It will also be available for download by interested groups where we have not scheduled an exhibit.

The first exhibit will be at the Hunterdon County Library North, Clinton, NJ in January and February, 2026, of our regimental, regional and militia flags of the period.

Check back for a listing of future exhibit locations and dates just as soon as fully confirmed.