Virginia Historical Society
Covered in Quilts
Below is a press release about an exhibition entitled, Quilts of the Old Dominion that was on display from March 18–December 3, 2006. While the exhibit is no longer "up," one can still enjoy seeing the beautiful quilts of Virginia in a book.
Above: Portion of a Virginia made, "Caesar's Crown" quilt which is more than one hundred years old.
Information Sent about the Exhibit
Richmond, VA – The Drunkard’s Path, Mariner’s Compass, Star of Hope, and Goosetracks are making their debut at the Virginia Historical Society this Saturday. For those of you familiar with these traditional patterns, you know this can mean only one thing: quilts.
Quilts of the Old Dominion runs with three rotations through December 3, 2006. This exhibition features quilts made in Virginia before 1900, selected for display by a committee of the Virginia Consortium of Quilters. There will be three rotations, each displaying twenty quilts at a time: first, March 18 through May 31; second, June 1 through August 30; and third, September 1 through December 3. In each of the three rotations, five of the quilts are modern, showing the progression of art from one hundred years ago to the present day.
"Perhaps the most outstanding in the first rotation is Lone Stars with Appliqué," says Maren Lindberg of the Virginia Consortium of Quilters. "This quilt may be older than the lender thinks it is— one of our best appraisers/historians thinks it is older. Of course, the Lone Star pattern is difficult to make, with all those (diamond) points that need to be perfectly assembled, in order to make a visual impact. This one and the others from this donor are extremely well done. The quilts have received good care and are in perfect condition."
Other featured quilt patterns include the ever-popular Crazy Quilt, as well as Noonday, Farmer's Fancy, Ocean Waves, and Old Maid's Ramble. The quilts on display were made in Virginia and each comes with its own story of the woman who crafted it, and how it has become a part of the family legacy of the owner. Tree Everlasting, scheduled for the June–August rotation, was made in 1850 in Bonsack, Roanoke County. The quilt maker was born in Bonsack and lived most of her life there. The quilt was on her farm during the Civil War and, family legend has it that it was used by a wounded Union soldier who promised not to burn the farmhouse if he were allowed to stay.
Quilts of the Old Dominion features a number of beautiful, expertly-crafted quilts that carry with them not only the loving artwork of the hands that made them, but also intriguing and memorable stories that warm the heart, just as the quilts warm their owners.
The Virginia Historical Society is located at 428 N. Boulevard. The Story of Virginia, An American Experience, a 10,000-square-foot exhibition with more than a thousand objects covering all of Virginia history from prehistoric times to the present is featured in the Robins Center for Virginia History. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Museum Galleries only). Admission: $5/adults, $4/seniors 55+ ($2/Tuesdays–galleries only), $3/children and students, free/members. Admission to the galleries is free on Sundays. For group tour information, call (804) 342-9652. For more information, please call (804) 358-4901 or visit www.vahistorical.org. Contact: Carol Anne Baker, Media Relations Specialist (804) 342-9665, cabaker@vahistorical.org
Press Release published by Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH. pat@quiltersmuse.com