Mary's On the Road Exhibit Reviews In Worcester, MA

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QUILTS: PRACTICAL PIECES  
 April 21- August 25, 2018

Worcester Historical Museum 30 Elm Street, Worcester MA   www.worcesterhistory.org

 

“The Story of New England quilts- from the province of colonial elites to common household items to treasured museum pieces – is tied to international trade, industrial development, shifting cultural values and changing tastes. New England quilters today replicate designs from the past or use the traditional form as a starting point for their own artistic expression. The exhibit highlights quilts from the collection as well as loaned pieces that show a new direction for quilting in the age of technology”

                                                                       -Holly Izard, Lynne Bassett

Recently a small group of us along with members of the American Quilt Study Group’s New England Chapter, were treated to an engaging tour by collections manager Holly Izard about the QUILTS: PRACTICAL PIECES exhibit followed by an insightful peek into the museums archives with textile consultant Lynne Bassett.

The quilts and clothing in this exhibit were donated, borrowed or collected from a relatively small geographical area surrounding Worcester. Many pieces came from prominent Worcester families. It was interesting to see an Ohio Star quilt made from scraps of the period dress displayed in front of the quilt.

Fabric scraps from this dress are found in this Star quilt

Moving around the gallery you see the progression of quilts hung in chronological order from the oldest to the newest which hang together as a beginning and end to the exhibit. Additionally in display cases around the room there are wooden quilting templates, quilts and pieces of quilts with generations of family history intact.

Wooden Quilt Templates

Documented Local Family Heirloom from the Museum Collection

There is also a wonderful signature quilt with pieced signature blocks that are set with diagonal double pink sashing, then surrounded with chocolate brown triangles forming  the outer border and finished in the traditional New England “T” style to fit a four poster bed. This quilt would be a treasure trove of information for genealogical  research.

 

Signature Quilt Documents Local History and Genealogy Clues

Surprisingly it’s the first time the Worcester Historical Museum has researched and displayed this many examples of quilts and clothing from their collection. I would recommend visiting this exhibit not only for its remarkable local history bur also in support of finally seeing the quilts having being tucked away for so long. Kudos and thanks to Holly Izard for cataloging and preserving the collection, and to Lynne Bassett for providing historical content for the museum’s textile collection. Their combined work and expertise is evident throughout this engaging exhibit.

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