Sandy Ground Historical Society - Staten Island, NY

The Sandy Ground Historical Society Museum and Library has this wonderful story quilt (photo). Sandy Ground, on the south shore side of Staten Island, was founded in the early 19th century by freed black men from New York. The museum offers arts and crafts programs, at times some are focused on African American quilts. During spring and summer, the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 1 - 4pm. Call 718-317-5796 for more information. Enjoy!

Harriet Tubman's Shawl from Queen Victoria Donated

The beige silk and linen shawl Queen Victoria gave to Harriet Tubman was recently donated by famed collector and expert on the Underground Railroad Charles L. Blockson to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In a Washington Post article Blockson shared that he was willed the the shawl and other Tubman items from Mariline Wilkins, a great grand-niece of Mrs. Tubman. Blockson is quoted in the article, "My ancestors escaped with Harriet Tubman...I was shocked... Then I prayed and put them in a vault. Then I put them under my bed and her spirit was with me." Enjoy!

"Stories That Cover Us" Exhibit at the NW African American Museum, Seattle

If you are in Seattle, do check out the exhibit "Stories That Cover Us" at the NW African American Museum. This show was curated by Brian J. Carter, Deputy Director of the museum and features quilts by the sistah quilters of the Pacific Northwest African American Quilters! Do stop by from now until October 4, 2009. Enjoy!

(Photo: Silhouettes of My People, 2008 by Patricia Batiste-Brown)

Finalist - National Museum of African American History and Culture

Have you seen the 6 finalists for the design of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture? The Washington Post has a terrific article and slide show featuring the designs by:

• Devrouax & Purnell and Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
• Diller Scofidio and Renfro with KlingStubbins
• The Freelon Group, Adjaye Associates and Davis Brody Bond
• Foster and Partners/URS
• Moody Nolan, in association with Antoine Predock Architect
• Moshe Safdie and Associates with Sulton Campbell Britt & Associates

An eleven-member panel will make a final decision next month. How would you vote? Enjoy!

Sankofa African-American Museum on Wheels

Driving through Richmond area of North Carolina this week is the Sankofa African American Museum of Wheels - operated for 20 years (yes, 20 years!) by Angela Jennings. In this photo from the Richmond County Daily Journal newspaper, she is sharing a quilt illustrating the slave-trade triangle of Africa, the Caribbean, and America. Apparently, Ms. Jennings started what would become the museum to teach her nephew about Black History. I'd love to meet her and visit the museum! Have you stepped into this museum on wheels? Do Tell!

Dr. Johnnetta Cole is named new Director, National Museum of African Art

Dr. Johnnetta Cole has been named the new Director of the National Museum of African Art! The appointment is effective March 1. Sistah Dr. Cole is a noted quilt collector. Congratulations!

Lonnie Bunch - Here's my Quilt History Wish for the Smithsonian

A few days ago I read an article about Smithsonian curators collecting materials from the 2008 US Presidential election for preservation. Items are also being collected for the Smithsonian's newest museum - the National Museum of African American History - which is expected to open in 2015.

Lonnie Bunch (photo) is the founding director for the new National Museum of African American History. According to the museum's website, he says the museum will stand on four pillars to: 1) explore African American culture, 2) demonstrate how central African American history is in American history, 3) place the African American experience in context of the African Diaspora, and 4) be a place of collaboration.

Mr. Bunch - as you and your team collect artifacts for the new museum, may I make a few suggestions of African American quilt items I'd LOVE to see on exhibit at the National Museum of African American History? Now, I don't know if these items are even available. But what an exhibit of African American quilt history these would make!

• The sewing machine Harriet Powers used to stitched the Bible Quilt
• A 19th century sampler stitched by one associated with the Oblate Sisters of Providence, a congregation of Black Catholic nuns founded in Baltimore, MD in 1829
• One of the quilts stitched by Harriet Tubman
  
• An actual pre-Civil War African American newspaper - with a classified listing featuring black women marketing their sewing skills
• The prototype of Thomas Elkins' 1870 combination dining room table, ironing board, and quilting frame invention (U.S. patent no. 100,020). He lived in Albany, NY.
• The Coffee Tree Quilt stitched by Martha Ann Ricks and given to Queen Victoria
• Anything sewn by George Washington Carver - yes, he did sew, too!
  
• One of the sewing machines donated to Mary McLeod Bethune's Daytona Literary and Industrial School for Training Negro Girls by Thomas H. White, founder of the White Sewing Machine Company and board member of the school
• A handwritten copy of Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem "The Quilting" - even a draft copy will do
• Ok, you'll need a "Little Brown Koko" quilt - or a Mammy quilt... it's part of history
• A ribbon from a winning quilt at one of the hundreds of "Colored Fairs" held across the US
• Rosa Parks' sewing basket
• A Freedom Quilting Bee quilt - one from the 1960s, or one of the $10 pieces they sold when they cut up the 1969 "World's Largest Quilt" they sewed. It was 20 feet wide and 44 feet long and held that record until 1982.
  
• A needlepoint piece by Pearl Bailey - ok, it's not a quilt, but I'd LOVE to see her work! And, while we're talking about needlepoint - be sure to collect a piece by former football star Rosey Grier - and ask if he would autograph his 1973 book "Needlepoint for Men"
  
• One of the quilts designed by Romare Bearden. Mr. Bunch - did you know he designed a quilt in 1976? The design was hand-quilted by ladies in Ohio of the Amish faith.
• Find a quilt - any quilt - celebrating the Presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the freedom of Nelson Mandela, the Civil Rights Struggle
  
• Ask S. Epatha Merkerson if the museum can borrow one of her quilts. Not familiar with her name - you may know her as Law & Order character Lt. Anita Van Buren.
• Don't forget quilt collectors! Find a newsreel or magazine interview of Sue Bailey Thurman talking about her efforts to purchase the "Harriet Tubman Quilt" stitched by the Negro History Club of Marin City and Sausalito, CA.
• Display the camera Roland Freeman used to photograph African American quilters in more than 30 US states
• Quilt history article written by noted quilt historian Cuesta Benberry
  
• A copy of the 1997 police report from the African American Museum of Tacoma, WA after thieves broke into the museum and stole handmade quilts
• Quilts stitched by women, including Black women, currently in prison
  
• A bolt of fabric from an African American owned fabric store. Be sure to also get a photograph of the owner in front of the store!
  
• Yards of fabric featuring African American and African images
• Profile African American fabric-designers!
  
• Photo collage featuring black folks sewing - in the US and across the Diaspora
• A collection of postcard invitations to African American quilting shows and exhibits nationally
  
• African American quilting guild newsletters, websites and annual club pins!
  

Mr. Bunch, I can't wait for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History to open! Hope these few suggestions are helpful - I'm sure the folks who read this blog have great suggestions on African American quilt items too! Enjoy!

Anacostia Community Museum - Jubliee show has quilt

Just saw this photo by Brendan Smialowski for The New York Times of this FANTASTIC quilt on exhibit at the Anacostia Community Museum in Washington DC until September 2009. According to the museum's website:

This colorful exhibition looks at African American holidays and celebrations around the country. Many of these celebrations (Election Day, Pinkster and John Canoe) no longer exist, while others (Big Quarterly and Mardi Gras) are still celebrated regionally but are not as well known or widely observed. Among the nearly 50 holidays featured are those created in response to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The history of these celebrations and other events—the homecoming festivities of historically black colleges and universities; the annual events of African American fraternities, sororities and secret societies; and more recently emerged traditions, such as Kwanzaa, family reunions and Martin Luther King Jr. Day—are presented through images of captured moments from throughout the years and treasured artifacts along with traditional songs and regional folklore related to holidays.

I have GOT to see this quilt in person and learn who stitched it. Have you seen this quilt? Enjoy!

Alabama Museum Acquires African American Quilts

The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts just announced it has recently added 10 more modern African-American quilts from West Alabama to its permanent collection. They were acquired through a partial purchase and a generous donation from Kempf Hogan of Birmingham, Mich., bringing the total number of the museum’s African-American quilts to 60.

How wonderful that the MMFA is collecting African American-made quilts. Does your local art museum own African American-made quilts?

Smithsonian Museum of American History - reopens, but no quilts?

The Smithsonian Museum of American History will reopen on Friday, November 21, 2008. According to the museum's website, the opening will provide "a new look at the almost 200-year-old Star-Spangled Banner and a rare chance to see the White House copy of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address..... Visitors will enter a dramatic five-story sky-lit atrium, surrounded by artifact displays filled with more than 400 objects showcasing the breadth and depth of the museum’s three million objects representing the cultural, social, technological and political history of the United States." You can follow the museum's reopening on its website and blog.

There are 400 quilts in the Smithsonian National Quilt Collection. It's my understanding that the old Textile Room, which showcased quilts in the museum's collection to the public, is NO LONGER THERE. Harriet Powers' "Bible Quilt" will be off public display. It's returned to rest in the Textile Storage Room. I hope to visit the museum this reopening weekend. What do you feel about the Smithsonian removing the public room that focused on display America's quilts? Do feel free to leave a comment here.

Ina Dews Donates Quilts to Illinois Museum

Ina Dews of Elgin, Illinois has donated three quilts to the Illinois State Museum, which already had nearly 400 quilts in its collection, according to Irene Boyer, the museum's decorative arts registrar. Interestingly, between five and 20 quilts are donated each year to the museum - and until Ina Dews' donation, not a single quilt - not one! - in the state's collection was made by an African-American quilter, according to a 4/29/08 Daily Herald newspaper article! The three quilts are queen-sized ones. Two were made by Ms. Dews' aunts from Texas and one Ms. Dews made when she was a teenager, according to the article. (Photo from the museum's website.)
I think its wonderful that the three quilts donated by Ms. Ina Dews will be preserved for generations future!

I do also wish that other African American quilts will proactively be included in the Illinois State Museum collection. Heck, Illinois is one of the top 10 states with the highest African American population. Is there an opportunity to preserve quilts from the Busy Fingers Sewing Club of Alton, IL? This African American guild started in 1948. Or, how about the Needles and Threads Quilters Guild of Chicago, which was founded in 1992 and continues today? Just a thought.

African-American Museum of Iowa Flooded - update

According to BlackAmericaWeb.com, the African-American Museum of Iowa was flooded in Des Moines this week. Museum staff have not yet been allowed into the building.

There is a note now on the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa's website about the flood's impact at the museum. Director Thomas Moore thanks everyone for their prayers. He shares that the museum "has taken a tremendous hit" and that their emergency action plan is in place. He urges folks not to call or visit the museum, most events for June and July have been canceled.

June 21 Update: I was able to contact both the Executive Director Moore and the museum's curator on Friday. The museum has 25 quilts in its collection, all 20th century. The quilts survived because they were hung from ceiling rods and are now safely off site in an environmentally-favorable location. Other textiles in the collections did not escape water damage and will need to be repaired.

I hope you join me in helping the museum's clean-up efforts. There is a flood recovery donation button on the museum's website - it accepts contributions via PayPal. Peace!

National Museum of African American History and Culture

There should be a new museum on the Mall in Washington, DC by 2015 - it's the National Museum of African American History and Culture. You don't have to wait to visit the museum, check out its website at: http://www.nmaahc.si.edu/!

Clark Atlanta University - strip quilts in collection

On exhibit until October 26 at Clark Atlanta University is African Continuum in American Arts and Crafts. Did you know that Dr. Mary Twining, a professor of folklore, and the late art collector Ben Apfelbaum donated to the university's permanent collection "an assortment of strip quilts, sweet grass baskets and wood carvings"? If you have a copy of Black Threads: An African American Quilting Sourcebook, make a note in the chapter on African American quilts in museum collections this addition to Clark Atlanta U. In 2003, my survey of museums indicated there were 585 African American-made quilts in 100 permanent museum collections. I wonder, what is that number today? I wonder what new institutions have been added to the list since 2003. Hmmmmm.

15 years ago Smithsonian Reproduced "Bible Quilt"

Who'd a Thought - 15 years ago quilters protested at the doors of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History ... telephoned and hand-delivered petitions signed by thousands of quilters to their Congressional Representatives... and more! Why?

In 1992 the Spiegel catalog (remember Spiegel?) featured handmade copies of historic 19th century quilts from the Smithsonian collection. The Smithsonian had licensed the reproductions to American Pacific Enterprises Inc. to generate needed revenues. The four quilts licensed were the 1851 Bride's Quilt, the 1830 Great Seal of the United States quilt, the 1850 quilt called Sunburst, and the beloved 1886 Bible Quilt stitched by Harriet Powers. The quilts were to be stitched in China.

Many factors contributed to the uproar. Some quilters felt the reproductions would "compromise their provenance and create confusion about their origins." Others argued that the Smithsonian should have contracted American quilters to stitch the reproductions, not folks overseas. Some feared the quality of the Chinese reproductions might be sub-par and, as a result, negatively affect the market for American-made quilts. Many wanted the quilts to be clearly labeled "Made in China." Others wondered why the Smithsonian would have reproductions made in China when the US was running a $12.7 billion trade deficit at the time with China. Some quilters also wondered if museums which collected their works would license their creations without permission in future.

Organizationally, quilters turned up the heat! The National Quilting Association faxed its official position paper to its member chapters requesting action. Smithsonian officials met with quilters to understand their viewpoints. Some concessions were made. One was that the Smithsonian would ensure its name and the copyright year (1992) were printed on each reproduced quilt.

1992 was the second year that I quilted. While I recall the controversy, I can't say I knew the details then. Looking at newspaper articles from the NY Times and the Washington Post from 1992 - 1993, here's a few tidbits:

• Each of the quilts took 50 hours of labor by 3 or 4 workers
• American textiles were used for the applique and Chinese-made cotton for the backing and batting. The quilt was sewn by machine, but quilted by hand.
• Anticipated royalties during the 3 year contract were between $500,000 - $800,000
• American Pacific sold more than 23,000 of the four reproductions by March 1993.

One can occasionally find one of the Harriet Powers' reproduction Bible Quilt on eBay, including the 12 page Smithsonian Collection booklet with photos and descriptions of each of the four quilts and numbered Certificate of Registration card.

It's been 15 years. I wonder what insights and reflections those who remember or were involved with the protests have now. I wonder:

• How many Smithsonian Collection reproduction quilts were finally sold?
• What did it feel like to protest on the steps of the museum in March 1992?
• How really did quilters nationally get the word out about the reproduction concerns? Remember there wasn't instant messaging, blogs, websites, 5 cents a min long distance rates, or email news alerts. What were the protest communication channels?
• What was the final list of agreed upon consessions by the Smithsonian?
• What value did registering the quilts offer? Is there still a registration record?
• Where can one (ok, me!) get a copy of the NQA 1992 position protest paper?
• What's the thoughts of the Smithsonian textile curators today?
• What's the perspective of American Pacific Enterprises today?
• Will the remodeled National Museum of American History include an improved quilt display area?
• Is there an active secondary market for the reproduced Smithsonian quilts?
• Have the actual reproduced quilts lasted? Were they indeed of good quality?
• Did the protest have a lasting impact on museum decisions to reproduce other historical quilts in their permanent collections?
• Have there been any published articles or papers taking a considered look at the 1992 protests and aftermath?

Please do leave a comment with your reflections of the 1992 events. Did you purchase one of the reproduced quilts? Thank you!

Gee's Bend Quilts in Baltimore, Activities

If you're in the Baltimore - Washington DC area, be sure to visit Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt at the Walters Art Museum. The exhibit features about 40 quilts and is open to the public from June 15 - August 26, 2007. FREE admissions.

A few of the upcoming museum events: June 15 - 7pm Panel discussion with eight of the Gee's Bend quilters and moderated by William Arnett. $10 + registration. June 16 - from 11am - 4pm - Gee's Bend Community Day!

• Booksigning by the Gee’s Bend quilters
• Storytellers and musical performers
• The African American Quilters of Baltimore quilt demos, interactive activities, and more!
• Kyra Hicks, author of Martha Ann’s Quilt for Queen Victoria - reading and booksigning
• Sparky & Rhonda Rucker's musical performance

June 22 6:30pm - 8:30pm. "If This Quilt Could Talk," play inspired by the Gee's Bend quilts featuring the Morgan State University theatre department. Free performance.

For more information call 410-547-9000, ext. 300.

US Textile Museums on Google Maps

Quilter Liz Plummer has created a Google mashed-up map featuring US Textile Museums! You can visit the map or email Liz with other suggestions at this link to Google Maps. Thanks Liz!

You can find other US museums at: www.museumsusa.org/museums/

Winterthur Museum, DE - June 9 Quilt Lecture

Will you be in Delaware this coming weekend? Take a trip to the gorgeous Winterthur Museum & Country Estate in Winterthur, Delaware. Phone: 800.448.3883.

I'll be there to share my research insights in Martha Ann Ricks: From Tennessee to Liberia and Windsor Castle as part of the Winterthur Quilt Lecture Series. Ricks, who spent 50 years saving money to pursue her dream of meeting Queen Victoria, was one of few 19th century women to have her needlework documented on three different continents—Africa, Europe, and North America. Join us Saturday, June 9 at 3pm. A book signing follows.

I had a ball at the Winterthur Library when researching Martha Ann's story. The Library includes one of the BEST textile and World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago, 1893) collections. I wanted to find books which may show images of Martha Ann's Coffee Tree Quilt for Queen Victoria on display at the World's Fair. If you join us on Saturday, you can also take in the Quilts in a Material World exhibit and see this lovely toile bedroom set! [Portrait of Martha Ricks by Nancy Devard, Collection of Kyra Hicks.]

Quilt Museums - Lists and Links

With summer approaching, you might want to visit one of these USA quilt museums!

1. American Museum of Quilts & Textiles of San Jose, 60 S. Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113. (408) 971-0323. info@sjquiltmuseum.org Jane Przybysz, Ph.D, Executive Director. The first museum to focus on quilts is now celebrating its 30th year! Its mission “is to promote the art, craft and history of quilts and textiles.” Visit http://www.sjquiltmuseum.org

2. International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0838. (402) 472-6549. Dr. Patricia Crews, Director. Founded in 1997 with the donation of more than 900 quilts from the Ardis and Robert James Collection. IQSC now has nearly 2,000 quilts, the world’s largest, from all eras, antique to contemporary and currently representing fourteen nations. Search the museum’s quilt collection online. Visit http://www.quiltstudy.org/

3. Kalona Quilt & Textile Museum, 415 B Avenue, Kalona, Iowa. PO Box 340, Kalona, Iowa 52247-0340. (319) 656-2240. Antique and Amish quilts.

4. La Conner Quilt Museum, 703 S. 2nd Street, P.O. Box 1270, La Conner, WA 98257, (360) 466-4288. lacquiltm@aol.com Marie Kirkman, Director. Opened in 1997. Museum quilt exhibits change every eight weeks. Visit: http://www.laconnerquilts.com/.

5. Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum, 13 West King Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. (717) 299-6440. info@lancasterheritage.com Peter S. Seibert , President/CEO. Wendell Zercher, Curator. The museum, which opened in 2004, focuses on textiles and quilts from Lancaster County and south-central Pennsylvania, primarily 19th & 20th century Amish Quilts. The former “Esprit Collection,” from Douglas Tompkins, founder of major clothing labels Esprit Corporation and the North Face, forms the core of the museum’s permanent collection. The museum is closed through Nov 2007 for renovations. Visit http://www.quiltandtextilemuseum.com.

6. Museum of the American Quilter’s Society, 215 Jefferson Street, Paducah, Kentucky 42001, (270) 442-8856. info@quiltmuseum.org The museum “is a non-profit institution established to educate, promote, and honor today's quiltmaker.” Bill and Meredith Schroeder are the museum founders. The MAQS opened in 1991 and now includes more than 200 quilts in its permanent collection. Visit http://www.quiltmuseum.org/

7. New England Quilt Museum, 18 Shattuck Street, Lowell, Massachusetts 01852. (978) 452-4207 Ext.15, Marie Geary, Acting Director. Founded in 1987. Happy 20th anniversary! There is a Museum Library with over 2,000 reference books, adult and children’s quilt fiction, videos and quilt magazines. Volunteers are available to answer your questions. Visit http://www.nequiltmuseum.org/

8. The People’s Place Quilt Museum, 3510 Old Philadelphia Pike, PO Box 419, Intercourse, PA 17534. (800) 828-8218. Phyllis Pellman Good and Merle Good, curators and directors. Visit http://ppquiltmuseum.com/

9. The Quilters Hall of Fame, 926 S. Washington Street, Marion, Indiana 46953. (765) 664-9333 quiltershalloffame@sbcglobal.net. Karen B. Alexander, President. QHF is dedicated to honoring outstanding contributions to the quilt world. Founded in 1979 by Hazel Carter. Visit http://www.quiltershalloffame.org/ to read bios of the annual QHF Honorees.

10. Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, 1111 Washington Ave., Golden, CO 80401-1162. (303) 277-0377. Paula Pahl, Executive Director. Golden, CO quilter Eugenia Mitchell, who wanted to preserve 100 quilts in her collection and share it with the public, was the driving force for what would become the museum, which opened in 1981. The museum is dedicated to the preservation of American quilts and to the continuation of quiltmaking. There are over 300 quilts in its permanent collection. http://www.rmqm.org/

11. Virginia Quilt Museum, 301 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, (540) 433-3818. Founded 1995. Its Permanent Collection contains over 150 quilts dating from 1810 to the present. The museum offers a hands-on Children’s Room where kids can touch quilts, play quilt puzzles, read quilt-related books, and have fun! Visit http://www.vaquiltmuseum.org/

12. Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts, P.O. Box 562, Cedarburg, WI 53012. (262) 546-0300. wiswool@execpc.com Kay Walters, President. Anne Books, VP. The museum, sponsored by the Wisconsin Quilt History Project, opened in September 2005. http://www.wiquiltmuseum.com/

Have I missed any? Do you have a favorite museum for seeing quilt exhibits? Be sure to leave a comment! Enjoy!