COSTIKYAN RESTORES HISTORIC
AMERICAN-MADE WOODROW WILSON
RUG HONORING STATUE OF LIBERTY


The Woodrow Wilson Liberty Rug was the first of 20 commemorative rugs machine-woven in Amsterdam, NY by the Shuttleworth Brothers factory. It was inspired by the floodlighting ceremony at the Statue of Liberty Dec. 2,1 916.

NEW YORK -- Restoration by Costikyan has completed restoration of The Liberty Rug, an historical American-made rug inspired by the initial floodlighting ceremony at the Statue of Liberty on Dec. 2, 1916.

The restored Liberty Rug was the first of 20 that were Axmisnter- woven in Amsterdam, NY by the Shuttleworth Brothers factory. It was presented to President Woodrow Wilson by W & J Sloane, the sole agents for the design. President Wilson officiated at the floodlighting ceremony in Manhattan.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation commissioned Restoration by Costikyanâ„¢ to restore the carpet to its former magnificence. It has now been returned to its home in Woodrow Wilson House in Washington, DC, where it is on display in the President's Library.

An image of The Statue of Liberty occupies the center of the rug. Surrounding her are monuments and symbols of American heritage that include Niagara Falls, the Mayflower, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Washington Monument, Capitol, and Native American teepees.

A border surrounds the central images with illustrative medallions including many state seals. Depicted on the carpet are scenes of America circa 1916. Aviatrix Ruth Law flies over the Statue of Liberty in a biplane during the statue's floodlighting ceremony. Also represented on the carpet is a ship passing through the Panama Canal, opened during the Wilson administration and a Model T Ford driving through a California Redwood tree.

The rug originally occupied President Wilson's bedroom at The White House prior to its installation at S Street in Wilson's Library. Rear Admiral Cary Grayson who wrote Woodrow Wilson's biography recounts a story illustrating the President's sense of humor during his illness.

Once after he had been able to leave his bed and walk with the assistance of his cane, he was crossing a rug with a number of figures woven into it, the Washington Monument, the Capitol and Niagara Falls. As the President crossed the rug, he turned to me and said: "Doctor, that is not a bad stunt for a lame fellow, to walk over Niagara Falls this morning."

Restoration by Cotikyan was founded in 1886 and specializes in the care, restoration and cleaning of fine rugs and tapestries. Some of the other Costikyan projects involving historically significant pieces include the Laver Kirman Carpet at Hearst Castle in California and the 17th Century Portuguese needlepoint in The Banquet Hall at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami. The Costikyan family has also been involved in consulting and participating in the selection, purchase and restoration of Oriental rugs for the mansions of Newport, RI.

Before and After Restoration
Of the Woodrow Wilson Liberty Rug

Lady Liberty Before	Lady Liberty After
Campsite Before	Campsite After

Scenes from the Liberty Rug

Niagara Falls with rainbow

The US Capitol

The Liberty Bell

The Mayflower

Commentary on Commemorative Rugs, click here.

11.19.09