A “West Virginia Quilt Documentation” event will be held at the Landes Art Center in Petersburg from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on July 11 and 12. Doors will open at 10 a.m.
The volunteers from the “West Virginia Quilt Documentation Project” will be present to document quilts made in or residing in West Virginia. This ongoing effort aims to preserve West Virginia’s quilt artistry and history for future generations.
Roberta Gellner, project coordinator, emphasizes the significance of documenting quilts for future generations.
“These quilts hold immense pride for West Virginians, and taking the time to have them photographed and documented ensures that their stories are not lost,” Gellner stated. “Volunteers from across the state will examine the quilts and record pertinent information about them and their creators. This data will be stored in the West Virginia Culture Center Archives and The Quilt Index (www.quiltindex.org), a comprehensive national database of quilts from various regions.”
Each quilt owner is limited to two quilts per event to provide equal opportunities for participation. Quilts must have been made before 1975.
Well-loved, well-worn quilts, family heirlooms, and treasures are welcome, as are quilts with unknown makers.
Quilts should be brought as they are. Please refrain from washing, repairing, or altering them in any way solely for documentation purposes. The documentation process typically takes approximately 45 minutes and provides an opportunity for the owner to photograph their quilt while displayed and learn about the pattern, timeframe, fabrics, and techniques used in its construction.
The quilt documentation is provided free of charge.
Quilt owners must make an appointment to bring their quilt for documentation. To schedule an appointment, contact JoAnn Harman at 304-703-2059.
Since 2016, the project has documented more than 800 quilts and their makers. It is a source of pride for the owners of these quilts to have their quilt information recorded in the national database, which is utilized by researchers and scholars in family genealogy, local history, American History, and Women’s History.
The event will also receive local support from the Grant County Historical Society and the Grant County Community Educational Outreach Service.
The West Virginia Quilt Documentation Project is supported by West Virginia Quilters Inc. in collaboration with the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.
For more information, go to https://www.wvquilters.org/documentation1.html.
