Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
August 21, 1988
By Jan Buffington
Vigo County Historical Society
Quilts piece together picture of past
Four quilts on display in the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley are featured as this week’s treasure.
A sample quilt hangs over the fireplace on the first floor. Each block was made by a different person, with the block maker’s name embroidered on the block. The blocks are set together with narrow peach-colored material. Also embroidered on the quilts is the inscription: “Presented to C.H. Vaughn by Sunshine Circle, Christmas 1928, Ida M. Ingrige.” It was donated by Avice McKibben, a member of the Board of Directors of the Clara Fairbanks Home and the Chauncey Rose Home Inc.
A blue-and-white pieced quilt covers the crib in the Victorian Nursery on the second floor. The pattern of this cotton quilt is the “rolling star.” It is not known who made the quilt or who donated it.
Two quilts on display in the bedroom on the second floor are pictured here. An appliqued original floral design quilt covers the adult bed. It was quilted in 1910 by Mrs. McCasson. The quilt was donated by Mrs. Reid Ross, whose husband is Mrs. McCasson’s great-great-grandson.
Folded in the cradle in the same room is a “double T” pieced quilt, made of three red calicoes and natural muslins. Sarah Ellen McNabb made the quilt sometime between 1890 and 1912. Lucile V. Failing, Mrs. McNabb’s granddaughter, donated the quilt to the museum.
The quilts on display in the museum are changed several times during the year. The museum also will stage a quilt show in October at Fowler Park.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.