Chester County Quilt Documentation Project

Some Chester County Quilts...

 
click to enlarge quilt photos..

In 2002 and 2003, the Chester County Historical Society conducted a quilt documentation project to preserve the county's quilted heritage in perpetuity. Members of the community brought quilts and quilted items to one of nine documentation days located throughout Chester County. Teams of more than 40 volunteers transcribed information about the maker and a physical description about the quilts. In addition, overall and detailed photographs were taken of each item. To date, we have documented more than 900 quilts of any condition and level of completion made in Chester County by quilters who were born before 1930. This information is presently being turned into an electronic database.

We are still interested in learning more about Chester County quilts! If you have questions about this project, would like to access this archive or are interested in having your Chester County quilt documented, please contact museum@chestercohistorical.org. Owner confidentiality is assured.

Coming soon...

In February 2009 a one-year exhibit will feature 140 quilts documented during this project. Three rotations, each 4 months long, will showcase a variety of techniques and craftsmanship from the past 150 years. Even more exciting are the stories that go with them.

The exhibit and accompanying publication have been shaped by extensive community participation. Teams of volunteers helped to select quilts, conduct oral history interviews and write labels. More than one view point will be included on each quilt label, with input provided by curators, quilt owners and even school students.

Come and see what Chester Countians of all ages have to say about quilts! February 2009 through February 2010.

The documentation was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. The Center for Material Culture Studies, University of Delaware, was a project partner.

The exhibition and publication are funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.