Vintage Quilt Exhibition
Jan. 20 through April 3, 2018
Quilts that are cherished heirlooms and others that are historic treasures from travels will hang in the Brigham City Museum during its Vintage Quilt Exhibition Jan. 20 through April 3, 2018. The pieces combine patchwork, applique and embroidery in endless combinations, and nearly all have been produced before 1940. Families throughout Utah have unrolled or unfolded about 40 quilts to share with the museum.
The museum is located at 24 North 300 West. Admission is free. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. For further information, please phone (435) 226-1439 or visit www.brighamcitymuseum.org.
A few of the designs pictured in the quilts are little school houses, doves in windows, Brigham City’s peaches, holiday ties, Civil War stars, spools, bears’ paws, and 3-D Dahlias. Some of the quilters had the dexterity and the patience to make postage stamp-size, yo-yo and strip quilts.
Both rich and humble fabrics are honored in the exhibition, especially quilts crafted by Florence E. Ware and by Minnie Burton. Ware was a multifaceted Utah artist who worked as a painter, illustrator, costume designer, interior designer and muralist. She was a professor of art at the University of Utah for 25 years. Burton of Parowan designed a little school house quilt from well-worn clothing. The quilt was discovered in the attic of her home by granddaughter Beverly Ford, who lives in Brigham City.
One of the pieces is valued because of the resilience of quilter Elitha Donner, who survived as a child the Donner Party tragedy in 1846-1847 and crafted as an adult with family members a quilt out of old suits and dresses. The Donner party consisted of a group of Americans who set out for California from Illinois in a wagon train in May 1846 and was delayed by mishaps and mistakes. They spent the winter snowbound in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. There were many deaths, including Elitha’s father George Donner, leader of the expedition, and third wife Tamsen.
A number of artifacts will whisk viewers into another century, including a Singer treadle sewing machine built in 1878, a wicker sewing basket filled with accessories and a circa 1900 chair with needlepoint cushion.
Museum Director Kaia Landon says, “This exhibition is a rare opportunity to view old fabrics and handwork that have charmed recipients throughout the years. Many of the quilts have never see the light of day since they are extremely fragile as well as sensitive to light, wear, abrasion, dirt, dust, heat and organisms.”
Funds to support this exhibition have been provided by the Box Elder County Tourism Tax Advisory Board.
***Article written by Mary Alice Hobbs
Captions for vintage quilts:
“Pennsylvania Rolling Stone” loaned by Megan Cresap Legas, Provo
“3-D Dahlia” loaned by Megan Cresap Legas, Provo
“Sampler” (detail) loaned by Georgianna Knudson, Brigham City
“Turkey-Red Floss” loaned by Dr. and Mrs. Alida Hannum
