PORTLAND, Ore.–Pendleton Woolen Mills celebrated its 100th anniversary yesterday by rededicating its original mill and launching a year-long series of events and a new line of apparel and home products.
The company will debut the Centennial collection, including contemporary interpretations of its apparel, and a line of apparel and home products using the “Spirit of the Peoples” pattern, which was created especially for this anniversary. This launch, scheduled for this coming fall, also includes a commemorative Indian trade blanket. In addition, Pendleton will release a special holiday 2009 collection from Jill Rappaport, designer and contributor to NBC’s “Today Show,” which encompasses coats, status bags and dog products using three antique Indian trade-blanket designs.
Pendleton opened for business on Feb. 16, 1909, and was founded by the brothers Roy, Clarence and Chauncey Bishop. The Bishop family is currently in its fourth generation of ownership of the company, headed by C.M. Bishop Jr.