Detail from the 1777 'Tree of Life' quilt.
Plainfield's Drake House Museum opens a month-long exhibit from its quilt collection today with a gallery talk by quilting enthusiast Mary Della Salla.
A dozen quilts, none of which has been exhibited for more than 35 years, have been selected for the show. The centerpiece is the 1777 'Tree of Life' quilt, the oldest in the museum's collection.
The quilt was completed in the summer that Gen. George Washington successfully fended off the British advance on Philadelphia through central New Jersey (the subject of recent news, since the historical marker plaque at the site of the Blue Hills Fort in Green Brook Park was recently stolen, see here; and $5,000 reward offer here).
Quilting is an art form going back at least to ancient Egypt, and some forms of quilts were desirable trade goods among Europe's wealthy elites in the 1400s. The 'pieced' quilt, in which the top is made of pieces of fabric, often contrasting and sewn together in elaborate patterns, dates only from the middle of the 19th century.
Della Salla will provide an overview of American quilting and illustrate various techniques with samples from the Museum's extensive quilt collection.
A reception after the talk will provide an opportunity for more detailed answers to questions visitors may have.
A donation of $5 is suggested.
Stitches In Time
Exhibit Opening, Reception and Gallery Talk
Today - 2:00 - 4:00 PM
The Drake House Museum
602 West Front Street
(At the foot of Plainfield Avenue)
Exhibit Opening, Reception and Gallery Talk
Today - 2:00 - 4:00 PM
The Drake House Museum
602 West Front Street
(At the foot of Plainfield Avenue)
The Drake House, the Museum of the City of Plainfield, is operated by The Historical Society of Plainfield,
which received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission to help fund this exhibition.
Additional funding was made possible through a grant administered by the Union County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs;
the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust administered by the New Jersey Historic Trust;
the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund;
the City of Plainfield; and the Plainfield Cultural and Heritage Commission.
which received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission to help fund this exhibition.
Additional funding was made possible through a grant administered by the Union County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs;
the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust administered by the New Jersey Historic Trust;
the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund;
the City of Plainfield; and the Plainfield Cultural and Heritage Commission.
-- Dan Damon [follow]
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2 comments:
Excellent exhibit!
Hey Dan
I hear that the Police departmens\ts building is on contaminated soil and it has to get dug up any truth to that and what are the staff and officers exposed to
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