Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster –
Ellen E. Webster was New Hampshire’s Early Quilt Historian!
by Patricia Lynne Grace Cummings, quilt historian
Who was Ellen E. Webster? Perhaps you have never heard of the woman who was named as New Hampshire’s “outstanding authority” on quilts in a 1940 book, Hands that Built New Hampshire. Mrs. Webster was a wife and adoptive mother, a quilter, a quilt historian, a quilt judge, a published writer, a leader in her community, a professor, a musician, a scientist, a teacher, and an expert ornithologist.
She reproduced more than two hundred quilt designs, on a paper product that resembles heavy cardboard. She called what she had made, “charts.” Some were quite small, and some were as large as 20” x 30.” She cut templates from cloth and occasionally, wallpaper, and sometimes, she used paint to re-create antique designs. The purpose of the charts was to illustrate her quilt history lectures. She understood that she was “saving” quilt patterns, and knew the historical importance of that action. Often, and usually on the front of the charts, she penciled in notes about the provenance of the old quilts she copied. Her other lecture notes have been lost to posterity.
As a follow up to my study, I have visited places Ellen E. Webster went, and I have even paid my respects at her gravesite. Though separated by time, she and I are kindred souls, and I feel a profound sense of gratitude to her, for her work and for her ability to touch so many lives in a positive way. Now, her work continues through my writings as a quilt historian. It is nice to see this sense of continuity.
CD cover designed by James and Patricia Cummings
e-Book Available
An 355 page/ 340 photo e-book on CD, prepared by Patricia and James Cummings, is now available for purchase and will run on any computer.
Information about this e-book has been printed in UnRavel the Gavel, The Appliqué Society Newsletter, The Quilter magazine, and the UNH Alumni Magazine.
We “print on demand,” and will be happy to take your order for this unique, scholarly, fun, and captivating e-book record of Mrs. Webster and her wonderful works, including photos taken by James Cummings of her precisely-rendered, colorful quilt charts. To order, use the easy Paypal button on our website.
Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved. Patricia L. Cummings, Quilter’s Muse Publications, Concord, NH. pat@quiltersmuse.com
