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American Quilt Legacy Case: Colonial Quilting Bee Quilt

May 19, 2005 - September 4, 2006

Museum: American History Museum

Location: 3rd Floor, West Wing, Textiles Hall

The American Quilt Legacy case features pieces from the museum's collection on a rotating basis.

Colonial Quilting Bee Quilt: Mary Gasperik of Chicago, Illinois, made this cotton applique quilt in the 1930s. It depicts 24 needlewomen in colonial dress making quilts, an American flag, and a Hungarian flag. Mary was 16 years old and an accomplished needlewoman when she immigrated to America from Hungary in 1906. She became interested in quiltmaking after age 40, and by the end of her life had made approximately 90 quilts.