Moose Festival with Quilt Show
Colebrook, NH 2007
a photo essay by Patricia and James Cummings
August 24, 2007
The tiny town of Colebrook, New Hampshire comes alive at this time each year for an annual Moose Festival which includes a quilt show, among its many events. Good weather was with us, and after finding a parking spot in the municipal lot, we headed over to a very crowded Howard's Restaurant for a bite of lunch, before visiting the quilt show. The temperatures were beginning to heat up to being downright uncomfortable, so we walked over to see the quilts, but did little else before heading for home. We were happy to have left early in the morning so that we had plenty of time to visit a couple of our favorite antique shops, on the way up north.
All of the pews in the church were draped with quilts and an adjoining room featured more quilts and needlework. photo by James Cummings
The pews generously offered us views of a number of antique quilts with easily recognizable patterns. I spotted a Crazy Quilt that was made in a manner that I am not used to seeing. Here is a close-up view. Notice how the 100% cotton patches are overlaid and then machine quilted down, close to the edges.
Close-up of cotton crazy quilt with various types of print fabrics.
An heirloom Log Cabin quilt made in the 1880s, with very graphic colors, adorned the front pew. The quilt originated in Canada.
This cheerful Nosegay Quilt was pieced by using the directions from a Needlearts magazine dated 1939. See close-up of ephemera below.
The Nosegay quilt pattern was popular during 1939.
Another popular pattern during the Great Depression was the Dresden Plate. Here it is seen with centers of varying sizes, for a very unusual showing.
Beautiful raised bed of flowers outside the church that hosted the quilt show.
The Moose Festival features an Auto Show for viewing and competition. On Sunday, all of the cars go to Our Lady of Grace Shrine in nearby Columbia, NH , for "The Blessing of the Autos."
The only "moose" we spotted was this metal one, on the back of a truck. I think the moose heard the tourists coming and headed for the swamps.
This statue in Lancaster, NH, on the way home, beckoned us to investigate its meaning and take a photo. It is dedicated to those who first settled in the town.
The "natives" here were unfettered by our attentions. Wild turkeys and young ones, seen feeding in a Colebrook, NH field. (Others were also present in the general area.)
The Moose Festival occurs in three communities: Colebrook, New Hampshire; Canaan, Vermont; and Pittsburg, New Hampshire and lasts for three days.
©Copyright 2007. Patricia and James Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH. All rights reserved. For questions or comments, please write to: pat@quiltersmuse.com