About Lynn

Lynn Lancaster Gorges is one of North Carolina's leading authorities on historic textiles and antique quilts — a Smithsonian-trained conservation and restoration expert with over 35 years of museum-quality experience. She founded Historic Textiles Studio in 1990 and specializes in antique quilts (1700s–present), palampores, Civil War era fabrics, historic flags, and military uniforms. She is widely recognized as one of the foremost researchers on North Carolina plaid textile history from 1853–1900.

 Trained at The Smithsonian Institution, Colonial Williamsburg, Cooperstown Textile School, The Campbell Center of Preservation, NC State University College of Textiles, Barbara Brackman’s Schoolhouse Studio

 Toured France, the Netherlands and England studying quilts and chintz textiles

 Special guest on TheQuiltShow.com, presenting on antique quilt conservation and restoration, and the history of quilting in North Carolina from 1850-1900

 Researcher/grant recipient to study the early manufacturing of textiles in North Carolina related to domestic use of textiles in the 19th century

 Notable clients & presentations for: The Texas Civil War Museum (Fort Worth, TX), The York County Museum (Rock Hill, SC), The Nantucket Ship Wreck and Life Saving Museum (Nantucket, MA), Beaufort Historical Society (Beaufort, NC), May Museum (Farmville, NC), The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama, Outer Banks History Center (Manteo, NC), SC Historical Society, Washington Light Infantry Museum, Confederate Museum of Charleston (Charleston, SC), Wayne County History Museum (Goldsboro, NC), High Point Museum (High Point, NC), Core Sound Waterfowl Museum (Harkers Island, NC), The Textile History Forum (Montpelier, VT), the American Quilt Study Group (Lincoln, NE), the New Bern Historical Society (New Bern, NC), various North Carolina State Historic Sites, and numerous private clients

Frequently Asked Questions

What services do you offer?

I offer museum-quality conservation and restoration of antique quilts, historic textiles, flags, and military uniforms. Services include textile assessment, fiber analysis, fabric dating, stabilization, cleaning, mending, and full restoration. I also provide consulting, appraisals, and educational lectures for museums, historical societies, and quilt guilds.

What is the difference between textile conservation and restoration?

Conservation stabilizes a textile in its current state to prevent further deterioration without altering its appearance. Restoration repairs or reconstructs damaged areas to return the piece closer to its original look. I offer both, and recommend the appropriate approach based on the textile's age, condition, and your goals.

How do you date a historic quilt or textile?

Dating historic textiles involves analyzing fabric composition and weave structure, dye types and chemistry, pattern history and regional traditions, and construction techniques such as hand vs. machine stitching. My training at the Smithsonian Institution, Cooperstown Textile School, and NC State University College of Textiles provides the expertise needed for accurate dating and fiber analysis.

What types of textiles do you specialize in?

I specialize in antique American quilts from the 1700s to present, Civil War era fabrics and uniforms, palampores (historic Indian import chintz), North Carolina plaid textiles from 1853–1900, historic flags and banners, and military uniforms. I have particular expertise in North Carolina quilt history and am one of the leading researchers on NC plaid textile history.

Do you travel for consultations or speaking engagements?

Yes. I travel throughout North Carolina and the Southeast for on-site consultations, assessments, and appraisals. I also present lectures and educational programs at museums, historical societies, quilt guilds, and universities. Contact me at palampore@aol.com or (252) 514-9243 to discuss your needs.

How do I know if my textile needs professional conservation?

Signs that professional conservation is needed include brittleness, tears, staining, fading, insect damage, mold, or general fragility. If your piece has significant historical or sentimental value, don't wait — deterioration compounds over time.

Where are you located and what areas do you serve?

I am based in New Bern, North Carolina, at Historic Textiles Studio (3910 Highway 70 East). I primarily serve clients throughout North Carolina and the Southeast, but work with clients nationwide for significant pieces. Reach me at (252) 514-9243 or palampore@aol.com.