Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
October 2, 1988
By Jan Buffington
Vigo County Historical Society
Quilts’ quality to be shown at Fowler Park
Four quilts on display in the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley form this week’s historical treasure.
The “long cabin” or “barn raising” quilt hangs over the fireplace on the first floor. The pattern is versatile and can be made out of many types of materials. Patterns within patterns can be achieved by using the same color on half a block to create an overall design separate from the individual blocks.
The quilt is made of silk and velvet with ribbon binding. It is not known who made this quilt but it is estimated to have been made sometime between 1890 and 1910. Lillian Brooks donated the quilt to the museum.
A baby-crib cover of blue and black calicoes covers the cradle in the bedroom on the second floor. This small quilt was made around 1890 and was donated to the museum by Everette Lloyd Conklin.
The top quilt in the picture is a patchwork “eight-point star” or “Star of LeMoyne” quilt made of cotton. Estimates on when this quilt was made range from 1865 to 1910. It is not known who made the quilt. The donor also is unknown.
The lower quilt in the photograph is another beautiful example of the “log cabin” or “barn-raising” pattern. Much embroidering was done on this quilt. Instead of being tied, the quilt is tacked with the embroidery star stick. The edges have a feather stitch.
The blocks are made of silk, velvet and grosgrain. The backing is silk and the quilt is edged with lace. This quilt is on display on the adult bed in the bedroom on the museum’s second floor.
No information is available on the maker or donor of the quilt, but it’s estimated to have been made sometime between 1890 and 1910.
More of the museum’s quilt collection will be displayed today during the Quilt Show at Pioneer Days 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.