Patchwork Guild tells ‘Tales of Courtship and Marital Mayhem’ at Philly’s Center for Art in Wood

The current exhibit at the Center for Art in Wood features antique and new mangle boards. They’re wooden boards used to smooth fabric, dating back to the 16th century.

Despite their utilitarian nature, the boards were often elaborately sculpted and decorated, depicting domestic life in northern Europe in those times.

Tomorrow evening, members of the Patchwork Storytelling Guild will be on hand, telling stories inspired by the mangle boards, in a program called “Tales of Courtship and Marital Mayhem.”

One of the storytellers, Denise McCormack, stopped by our studios to give us a sample. Here she tells the legend of the Snow Queen, whose great beauty enticed men to brave her icy fortress and watchful guards to reach her, only to result in their deaths. That is, until one particular suitor found success.

Listen below.