Friday, May 23, 2014

Best Places to See Quilts

The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts
The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts, located just east of historic downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin, is dedicated to educating the public about the artistic, cultural, historic and social importance of quilts and fiber arts. The museum’s roots extend back to 1988 when a group of quilters in southeastern Wisconsin founded the Wisconsin Quilt History Project, Inc., whose mission was to preserve the history and creativity expressed in quilts through documentation and research.  Since 1988, over 8,000 quilts and their stories have been captured.  These records provided the material for an award-winning book, Wisconsin Quilts:  History in the Stitches, (second edition, 2009).

In 2001, the group purchased the Hoffmann-Boeker farmstead as the future home of a museum dedicated to creating, preserving and teaching fiber arts. The 2.2 acre farm includes seven original stone and timber structures; the dairy barn with silo, farmhouse, ice house and summer kitchen/smokehouse/blacksmithery.

The WMQFA has since refurbished the barn for use as a gallery and education center, opening in August 2011.  The site received Landmarks Designation from the City of Cedarburg in 2004.
 

Texas Quilt Museum
Texas Quilt Museum, La Grange, Texas
In the rolling hills of Central Texas, La Grange, founded 1837, features an old town square, shopping and restaurants. In a 10,000 sq. ft, 19th century restored building an array of quilting styles, sizes, textures and nationalities are housed and displayed from wall to wall and ceiling to floor. History and information is available in literature form or (if you are lucky) the curator will "show you around ". The variety and diversity would be impossible to describe and I can only say, "it's a must see".

No comments: