In her award winning book, "Ghost Riders," Sharyn McComb used the premise that Civil War re-enactors attract the ghosts of Civil War soldiers.  She feels that modern day re-enactors stir up memories in the hills of Appalachia.  On November 29, 2011 we are going to test this theory.  The Baldwin Reynolds House Museum will be transported back in time to November 29, 1861 for a belated Thanksgiving dinner for 40 very special friends taking place during the Civil War.  The 150th Bucktail Re-enactors will serve as the living examples of Union Officers and visiting civilians.  The night will be filled with "war stories", period music, delicious fixin's and an air of camaraderie straight from 1861.  Dinner will be served promptly at 6:30pm.  Tickets are $25.00 and must be purchased in advance.  Seating is very limited, so please call today.  For reservations, you can contact Judith Stoll at judithlee1@verizon.net or 814-398-4365 and Joshua Sherretts at museumbaldwinreynolds.org or call the museum at 814-333-9882.  Join us for this unique experience.

Petite Pieces of the Praire

Today a small group of the Northwest Pa. Quilt Study Group and some friends had the wonderful experience of hearing Sheila Holland speak about her miniatures and see them up close. What a treat! She uses nothing but original antique fabrics and patterns typical of the time period. Her work is exceptionally precise and beautiful.

Arlan & Pat Christ

Just thought I would share this information about Arlan and Pat Christ, for those of you coming to our lecture on May 4th.

Arlan and Pat Christ live in Berks County, PA.   They enjoy traveling to quilt shows and museums which provide the oppurtunity to examine quilts.  Retrieving knowledge to secure the heritage of antique quilts has become the prime objective of The Christ Collection.
They further explore their passion of antique quilts while attending quilt study groups.  Pat and Arlan are members of the Emmaus Quilt Study Group, American Quilt Study Group, and the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Study Group.
Past exhibits include the Berks County Quilters Guild Show in Oct. 2008 (Don't Turn Your Back on Me)...Kutztown Area Historical Society in May 2009 (Pennsylvania Quilt Treasures:  The Art of the Needle).  Their most recent exhibits occured at Quilt Odyssey in Hershey, PA July 2010, entitled "The  Realm of Four Blocks" and at the Berks County Guild Quilt Show in Leesport, PA entitled "Pennsylvania Stars & Bars", October 2010.  They will be at Quilt Odyssey again this year, 2011.
They have two publications representing quilts in their collection.  The first catalog was published May 2009 entitled, "Pennsylvania Quilt Treasures...The Art of the Needle".  Their second catalog, "America's Appliqued Quilts...A Treasured Pennsylvania Tradition", was published June 2010.
Arlan and Pat Christ want to preserved the legacy of quilts from past generations by sharing the history that surrounds the art of quilting.

We have had great response to the lecture.  We are going to have a wonderful evening.  Please join us if you are in the neighborhood.

"100 Years of Quilting" Lecture

Pat and Arlan Christ Quilt Lecture              

      “100 Years of Quilting”

         with a special focus on the Civil War Era

                  presented at the historic

               RIVERSIDE INN– Ballroom

             Cambridge Springs, PA  16403

                          May 4, 2011

                    Tickets are $10.00

                         7:00 pm

The Northwest PA Quilt Study Group will present

the lecture “100 Years of Quilting – 1830 to 1930” by

quilt historians,  Pat and Arlan Christ.  2011 marks the

150 anniversary of the Civil War, Pat and Arlan

have reconstructed their lecture to emphasize quilts from

the Civil War Era. The Christs studied the Civil War before

becoming avid quilt collectors so they have an extensive

background on the subject and can  relate much to us

about that time and place and its reflection in the quilts

of the day. At least 30 treasures from their collection of

over 300 quilts will be on display, some of which are recent

acquisitions.  Their two publications, “Pennsylvania Quilt

Treasures…the Art of the Needle and “America’s Appliquéd

Quilts, a Treasured Pennsylvania Tradition” will be available

 for sale.

Ticket Sales and Information:

Please leave a comment on this blog if you are interested in more information.

Vendors:  Megan’s Quilt Parlor and Muddy Creek Originals

Door Prizes include a signed copy of Jennifer Chiaverini’s

new book, “Union Quilters.
Refreshments will be served!

Happy New Year 1-1-11

2010 has flown by much too quickly, but we are looking forward to 2011.  Looking forward to more stitching and making good on those New Year's Resolutions and most importantly our guest speakings in May.

If you haven't had a chance to check out Barbara Brackman's new civil war blog, then hurry over.  She has a great year planned for anyone who wants to follow along.  What a wonderful idea to celebrate the 150 year anniversary of the start of the Civil War.  I will be joining her in this block-a-week fun.