Apron Symposium

For Yvonne Cory, of Easton, a dream came true Oct. 1-2, 2026, when she attended the second Apron Symposium at The Apron Museum in Iuka, Mississippi. It was hosted by Carolyn and Henry Terry, who created The Apron Museum in 2006.
Tishomingo County, located in the northeast corner of Mississippi, is hill country known for its logging and the only apron museum in the nation. The event was for invited apron collectors from across the United States. One special guest from Tennessee was Ginger T. Manley, editor of the book “Gotcha Covered: A Legacy of Service and Protection.”
The two-day event consisted of getting to know each other and sharing apron stories and highlights from around the nation. Attendees learned about how the apron museum was formed and its growth over the past 20 years. They also discussed the museum’s future needs and ways to handle the growing collection.
Since there are so few collectors and only one museum in the United States, efforts were made to consistently name apron categories. Attendees also reviewed and shared printed resources by several living and deceased authors. Videos from collectors unable to attend were viewed. Attendees also reviewed the New York Times article about the museum published in December 2025.
The morning of Oct. 2 was spent in the museum, where approximately 5,000 aprons were hanging for viewing. Attendees shared stories and saw some aprons for the first time, including a Japanese apron with seeds in the hemline for prosperity.
Those attending the symposium came from all over the country and from various walks of life. They shared a love for the cloth made into an apron. Each an expert in their own right, they came together to collaborate on how to preserve the history and legacy of aprons for the future. The event closed with the singing of “The Apron Song.” The first symposium was held in 2019.
Contributed by Yvonne Cory