Once again, the Creston Museum is looking forward to its annual quilt show and sale.
On Sept. 17, dozens of quilts will be on display. The museum has about 20 antique quilts in its collection, and local quilters are already starting to bring in their own creations for display.
“This is the day that we upholster the whole museum in quilts and quilted items,” said manager Tammy Hardwick. “Our record is something like 200 quilts, on display in, around and over the regular exhibits.”
Some of the antique quilts are not only historical objects; they are also historical documents in their own right.
Three years ago, the museum received a quilt that had been made in 1945 as a farewell gift for the local United Church minister. It is embroidered with the names of all the members of the congregation.
“We hang that quilt next to the Wynndel quilt, which is also embroidered with local names,” said Hardwick. “Longtime local residents start telling stories and sharing memories — and we just stand back and listen.”
The museum’s quilt show grew out of the local quilt festival. When the festival started, the museum participated with an antique quilt show. But, a few years later, when the quilt festival shut down, the museum began showing all sorts of quilts, old and new.
“Then, one of the ladies who was loaning her quilts to us for the show asked if she could put a for sale sign on one,” recalls Hardwick.
Ever since, the museum’s show has also been an opportunity for people to acquire one of these works of art for themselves.
Local quilters and quilt owners are invited to loan their quilts to the museum for the day. Any quilt of any size and all quilted items are welcome.
The show runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sept. 17, and admission is by donation. For more information, or to show or sell your quilt(s), please contact the museum at 250-428-9262 or mail@creston.museum.bc.ca.