If you’ve ever visited the Historic Sun Inn, 564 Main St., Bethlehem, the chances are that you’ve enjoyed the comfort of walking upon beautifully braided wool rugs in the foyer and hallway leading to the colonial kitchen and viewed by others in the Martha Washington Suite and Gaststube.

They are the product of the Valley Forge Rug Braiding Guild, which numbers about 200 members from all over the world who range in age from their 40s into their 90s. The group of dedicated braiders is also known as Rug Braiders International and is a nonprofit organization who meet annually.

Their first braided rug donation was made over 25 years ago for the Gaststube room, according to Nancy Young, who trained and worked with a dozen other braiders, and who the 93-year-old Young said are attracted to the craft because of its creativity. Young said she started braiding in the 1950s.

Their most recent donation to the Sun Inn was the 3.5 foot by 10 foot braided rug in the colonial kitchen hallway. That was presented in 2024 to Jen Cornish of the Sun Inn Preservation Association.

Young said wool is best because of its resilience. “You can take it apart and wash it, and once a rug is laced together it’s reversible.”

Young explained wool manufacturing has moved overseas and synthetic fibers have replaced it. The guild members collect wool scraps to assemble the rugs they continue to make, usually scraps from woolen clothing and woolen yard goods when they come across those opportunities.

The braided rug makers weave individual braids and then assemble them using a strong thread that cannot be seen at all.

“It’s a craft that is American,” Young said. And, “the joy of these rugs is that you walk on them and use them.”