Enthusiasts of storied quilts, Americana, and the rich historical, cultural, and artistic significance of textiles have a rare opportunity to take a close-up look at some of the most important quilts, coverlets, and paisley shawls in the Montgomery History collection of the Montgomery County Historical Society. Curator and textile historian Elizabeth Lay guides participants as she considers the patterns, materials, and techniques reflected in these beautiful pieces, and places them in the context of Montgomery County history and that of the development of 19th-century American textiles. A private lunch at a local restaurant highlights the day.
10–11:45 a.m. Treasured Quilts
Participants don white gloves to closely examine the Woodbourne Quilt, a lovely Compass Rose piece from the 1850s executed in extraordinarily fine stitching. Lay offers a look at the makers’ original drawings for the quilt, created on the back of discarded ledger pages. She also presents a chintz applique quilt, an extravagantly embroidered Victorian crazy quilt, and several other quilts with a Montgomery County connection.
11:45–12:15 p.m. American Coverlets
Matthew Monk, a current M.A. candidate in the GW Corcoran–Smithsonian Decorative Arts and Design History program, shares his research on American woven coverlets through examples in the Montgomery History collection. He discusses the development of the structures and technology for this emblem of Americana, using period artifacts to describe the distinctive weaving techniques and indicators of regional makers.
12:15–1:30 p.m. Lunch
Participants walk two blocks to acclaimed Rockville Town Square restaurant Trapezaria for a specially prepared feast of traditional Greek dishes, served family-style. It’s the perfect atmosphere for a lively discussion of the morning’s explorations.
1:30–3 p.m. Kashmir and European Paisley Shawls
Lay presents outstanding examples from Montgomery History’s paisley collection for examination, beginning with early-19th-century Kashmir botehs and embroidered shawls, traces the history of their import to the West, and covers the development of popular Scottish and French paisleys. She discusses the shawls’ fashionable designs and regional characteristics, and offers participants a chance to feel the distinctive fiber properties of each. The day ends in time to beat rush-hour traffic.
Registration is limited to 16 participants. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes; minimal jewelry is recommended.
One 5-hour session
