Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - August 19,1984
By Patricia F. Engelland
Vigo County Historical Society

Quilt work of art fashioned from remnants

With the Courthouse Centennial Celebration this month, the Historical Treasure of the Week is an item related to that event.

The quilt is from the late 1800s. It was made by Annie Lee, one of a family of 12 children, whose maiden name was Lida A. LeForge. She married Oliver Lee in 1879. Both of them were from pioneer familles of Vigo County.

It was Oliver Lee's father, Martin K. Lee, who was one of the County Commissioners at the time the Vigo County Courthouse was dedicated. His name is inscribed on the cornerstone in 1884 at the northeast corner of the building with the other county commissioners attorney and auditor.

The Star of Bethlehem design of the quilt is pieced with dark colors, predominantly in browns and blues, some heavy textures but many silk pieces. The corners between the arms of the star are set with dark blue and dark charcoal gray, The opposite ends are finished with like borders.

The fabrics used for the backings of quilts at this time are interesting to quilt researchers. This one is a brown and red blossom print in a stripe design. The quilting stitches in black thread were not intended for pride in quilting finesse: The easy stitches follow the inside of the diamond pieces and also show in double diagonal rows.

As with many quilts kept since 1884, there is some deterioration of the fabrics. Dark silks were very popular at this time and the Terre Haute Department Store Hoberg, Root & Co., at 518-520 Main St. advertised "Black silks .. recommended by all leading dressmakers."

In August 1884 there was a special sale ar the Buckeye Cash Store which boasted black moire silks from $2.50 down to $1 and worsted dress goods costing from 25 cents to 75 cents per yard marked down to 10 cents. Myers Brother' "Bankrupt Sale" had a special sale of 500 boy' overcoats at $1.25 a piece.

It could be presumed that Annie Lee used leftovers from garments and dressmaking at home for her Star of Bethlehem design. Many quilters consider the star design the ultimate in pieced quilts.

Dorothy M. Whitlock donated the quilt to the Vigo County Historical Society. Her husband's mother, Orrissa Lee Whitlock, was the grand daughter of Martin K. Lee.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1-4 p.m. Sunday through Friday. for further information person should call 2359717 when the museum is open.