Indiana State Museum Quilts Online

Tuesday, November 28, 2009

When I began writing about quilt history for my website several years ago I dreamed of the day that we would be able to see museum quilts online. Over the last few years my dream has come true. Go to Museum Online Quilt Exhibits to find links to several collections including the newest one at the Indiana State Museum.

Cultural History Collections Manager Traci Cromwell recently sent me the following information. In addition she gave permission to show you the two quilts to the left. Be sure to click on each so you can see how much great information is provided at the museum site on each of their quilts.

The Indiana State Museum's quilt collection is now available for research online in the artifact collection database. Currently the Indiana State Museum has close to 600 historic quilts in the collection online that date from 1810-2000. Highlights from the online quilt collection include:

• The largest collection of Indiana Amish quilts (perhaps Midwestern Amish too) and the best provenanced. Anyone doing research on Amish quilts should visit our site to see them. Includes examples dated in the quilting from 1869 to 1985.
• The Indiania (sic) Fancy Quilt, titled, dated and signed by Clarissa Rohrbach Strong of Delaware County in 1854. Wonderful documentation combined with excellent condition and visually striking design.
• Dogwood quilt designed by Marie Webster and made by Mary Ann Sipe. Webster was the author of the first American book on quilts and was a famous quilt designer from Marion, Indiana. Her work appeared in the Ladies' Home Journal.
• Storybook appliqué quilt made by Martha Jungclaus in 1929-1937, following the children's book illustrations of Fern Bissel Peat, an Indiana native.
• Indiana State quilt with all counties made in the county of origin for Hoosier Celebration 88, a state-wide celebration.
• The Lincoln campaign ribbon quilt. Made by 13-year old Maggie Frentz of New Albany in 1876, incorporates campaign ribbons of all candidates for President and Vice President in the 1860 election, including both Lincoln and Douglas.

Traci Cromwell
Cultural History Collections Manager
Indiana State Museum
650 West Washington 46204-2725
phone: 317-234-1719
fax: 317-234-1724
tcromwell@dnr.IN.gov