WMQFA FAQs

What is the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts?

The WMQFA is a museum dedicated to creating, preserving and displaying cultural treasures in our area. A primary mission is to teach people of all ages and abilities the time-honored traditions of fiber arts in Wisconsin, crafts like quilting, weaving and knitting. Our 1850s farmstead setting has allowed us to combine preservation of craft with preservation of historical agriculture buildings, offering a unique setting for enjoying an afternoon, taking a class, attending a lecture, or playing in a farm setting.

How did the WMQFA get started?

In 1988, a group of North Shore quilters decided to form the Wisconsin Quilt History Project, Inc. in an effort to document and preserve the rich history of quilting in the state. As the number of documented treasures grew, these women recognized the need to preserve them in some sort of museum where everyone could enjoy them. In 2001, the WQHP purchased the Hoffmann-Boeker farm with the unique vision to adapt the barn for commercial use as a fiber arts museum with an exhibition gallery and education center, simultaneously preserving a landmark and its cultural heritage. The museum operates out of the first floor of the farmhouse, and will move into the new facility featuring the preserved barn in Summer, 2011.

Where is the WMQFA located?

We are located at N50 W5050 Portland Road in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, just one-half mile from Cedarburg’s historic downtown district.

What can I do there?

Education is one of the WMQFA’s core missions. A full slate of classes is planned, tailored to people of all ages and skill levels. We envision school groups, mom-tot programs, community groups, tours and classes for adults and seniors.

The gallery will feature exhibits from nation-wide sources, representing all fiber arts, executed in both traditional and contemporary styles. Recent exhibits have included dolls, hooked rugs, wearable art, aprons and theatrical costumes.

Those interested in researching quilts will also find a library for their use. Visitors to Cedarburg’s many festivals (Strawberry, Harvest, German, Winter) will enjoy stopping at the farmstead to engage in supplemental activities. A museum gift shop will tempt those looking for one-of-a-kind creations from the best of local fiber artists. History buffs will appreciate the 1850s farm, lovingly preserved and open for view.

When is it open?

We are currently open Wednesday through Saturday 11a.m. to 3p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. But our hours will expand when we open in our new home this summer. Accommodations can be made for group tours.

How can I get more information?

The best source for up-to-date information is our website, www.wiquiltmuseum.com . You can also call us at 262.546.0300 or email at info@wiquiltmuseum.com.

Is the WMQFA just for quilters?

Not at all! Quilting enthusiasts will be thrilled to tour our exhibits and take classes and workshops, but we offer a wide range of activities that will appeal to fiber artists, historians, families, and children.

Is there anything for kids to do there?

We welcome families with children of all ages to visit our 2.2-acre farm. We have seven buildings, carefully restored and accurately representing a Civil War-era farm. We host special outdoor activities during the summer that appeal especially to children. We have developed special curriculum for school children studying Wisconsin history. We also encourage youth groups such as Scouts, 4-H, and others to plan visits to our museum where they can learn more and try their hands at crafts of all kinds.

How much did it cost to restore the farm?

Total project cost is $1.26 million, all of which has been raised thanks to the generosity of many Cedarburg community organizations, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and members of the museum, and individuals interested in historic preservation.

Who did the restoration work?

The Museum Board sought out local craftsman from the architect, Groth Design Group of Cedarburg, to Design 2 Construct, General Contractors in Jackson, WI. Special care was taken to find craftsmen in key areas like masonry and barn restoration.

Is the WMQFA owned by the state of Wisconsin?

No, we are a non-profit 501 (3)c business. We have a Board of dedicated Volunteers that govern the operations of the museum. We do receive funding from the Wisconsin Arts Board, which, in turn, is publically funded. But those public funds make up only a small fraction of the donations we have received.

Who funds your activities?

We have received generous support from area foundations, local businesses, and individuals in our community who value our mission of creating, preserving and educating Wisconsin area residents. Some funding has come from historical preservationists who support our efforts to save and re-purpose this quaint, unique 1850s farm.

Can an outside group rent your facilities for private use?

Yes. On a limited basis, the museum spaces will be available for rent to private groups for such events as fiber arts shows, weddings, banquets, lectures, business meetings and workshops.

What preservation activities do you do?

Since 1988 the WMQFA has been given over 500 pieces of fiber arts by families wanting to preserve their legacies in the craft. Currently, the museum’s collections are housed off site. Climate-controlled storage for the permanent collection has been built into the new facility opening Summer, 2011.

We are also dedicated to preserving our 1850s farmstead, a unique property within Cedarburg’s city limits, where all can see what a Civil War Era working farm looked like.

Do you accept quilt donations?

Absolutely! In May of 2010, we were honored to receive the collection of Joe and Mary Koval, valued at $500,000. The centerpiece of that collection, The Baltimore Quilt, is one of only a few remaining 1850s quilts in this style here in the United States. They also donated a very large collection of textiles from the same period for our educational use. When the new facility opens, we will have a rotating exhibit featuring our permanent collection of fiber arts.

What’s the difference between the WQHP and the WMQFA?

The Wisconsin Quilt History Project is the antecedent of the WMQFA. The WQHP was started in 1988 to document quilts in Wisconsin. To date, over 7,000 quilts have been registered. Many of the founders of the WQHP wanted to take their project a step further, and create a physical presence in the community where quilting and other fiber arts would be displayed, preserved and taught to fiber arts enthusiasts as well as the general public. They founded the WMQFA in 2001, and began designing the present facility under construction. Construction began August 19, 2010, and is on schedule for completion in early summer, 2011.

Who were the founding members of the WQHP?

The three founding Mothers were Marion Wolfe (deceased) of Whitefish Bay, WI, Luella Doss, Grafton, WI, and Kay Walters, of Cedarburg, WI. All fiber artists in their own rights, these three women pulled the quilting community together to realize the importance of documenting their crafts.

Are you a non-profit organization?

Yes, we achieved IRS 501(c)3 status in 1994. All donations to the WMQFA are tax-deductible.