History of Hooked Rugs Sought

DAYTON – Longtime Dayton resident and former Hawthorne Gallery owner Patti Eaton is on a historical quest to glean information about the Halpine Society, a fundraising group organized by the Dayton First Congregational Church in 1892. Eaton is especially interested to learn more about the hooked rugs made and sold by local women who belonged to the society.

Eaton recalls, in her early years, hearing people talk about the church ladies making rugs. As a child, she had no interest in the group and didn't pay much attention. Now she wishes she had.

"This is a valuable piece of local history that...