Treasure trove of quilts discovered at the Old Jail
Quilt expert Faye Snyder examines an 18th century quilt from the Lincoln County Historical Association collection. See this and many other fine quilts at “Keeping Warm in Mid-Coast Maine, a Textile Symposium to be held on June 28 and 29. Courtesy of Christine Hopf-Lovette
Quilt expert Faye Snyder examines an 18th century quilt from the Lincoln County Historical Association collection. See this and many other fine quilts at “Keeping Warm in Mid-Coast Maine, a Textile Symposium to be held on June 28 and 29. Courtesy of Christine Hopf-Lovette
Last week, Lincoln County Historical Association (LCHA) committee members surveyed the association’s textile collection on the third floor of the Old Jail in Wiscasset. The room had been unattended for several years, and they were seeking interesting quilts to display at LCHA’s upcoming Textile Symposium. On hand was Fay Snyder, a quilt expert who said that the pieces she found were some of the finest examples of 18th century quilting she had ever seen.
“This Calamenco quilt was probably owned by a family of means because the satin weave wool brocade would have been imported from Flanders,” Snyder said. “Hand quilting outlines the brocade, and it’s very nicely done for quilt that is so thick.” She noted that the back of the piece was made of homespun butternut dyed linsey woolsey, which is woven from linen or cotton and wool.
Another find included a silk log cabin quilt with beautiful embroidery that is backed with a furry material called Hatter’s Plush. According to LCHA records, the quilt was made by Eliza Jane Clifford from Wiscasset. The backing came from a factory near Wiscasset that manufactured men’s hats.
Yet another outstanding quilt is done in white work. The design is carried out in trapunto with a basket design in the center and a a feather vine border. It includes thimble quilting, an intricate process that Fay Snyder said she will explain in her talk at the textile symposium.
The morning spent in the textile room in the Museum and Old Jail was a thrilling one for the committee. They examined 15 quilts and picked about eight to include in the Symposium, which will be held at the Colburn House in Pittston and the Pownalborough Court House in Dresden on June 28 and 29. Others will be on display in the Jailer’s House in Wiscasset throughout the summer.
It’s not too late to sign up for the symposium. The cost is $95, which includes the two-day program, two lunches and a wine reception on Saturday evening. The cost for Saturday only is $65 and the Sunday only program is $25. For more information and to register, visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org.
The Lincoln County Historical Association is an all-volunteer nonprofit that provides stewardship for the 1754 Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta, the 1761 Pownalborough Court House in Dresden, and the 1811 Old Jail and Museum in Wiscasset.
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