WMQFA Moves Into New Home

In 1988, a group of avid quilters in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, decided to give something back to the community that nurtured them. They started the Wisconsin Quilt History Project, an effort that has led to the documentation of over 8,000 quilts statewide, spawned a history book of Wisconsin quilts, and founded the first museum in the state devoted to preserving, creating and educating those interested in quilts and fiber arts.

In August of 2011, the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts will move into its “new” home, the centerpiece of which is an 1850s refurbished barn. The completed structure will include gallery space, classrooms, a gift shop and multi-purpose areas, occupying over 10,800 square feet.

“Our 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,” says Terri Kirchner, a professional quilter and President of the WMQFA. “We see it as our mission to preserve these skills by offering a venue in which they can be appreciated and honed.”

The museum will offer schoolchildren the chance to visit a lovingly restored Civil War-era farmstead, complete with farmhouse, summer kitchen, blacksmithery, and chicken coop. “It would have been easier to build our new home from scratch,” says Ellie De Lia, another WMQFA leader. “Instead, we married our mission of education to the preservation of an 150-year-old farm that otherwise might have been razed.”

Located just one-half mile east of historic downtown Cedarburg, the WMQFA has worked with local preservationists to secure landmark status for its new home. The organization raised $1.2 million to finance the project.

Opening celebrations kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception at 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 11. In conjunction with that celebration, the museum will be displaying items from its own collection, including the Mariner’s Compass Donor Recognition Quilt as well as select items from the $500,000 Koval Collection. The works of Marion Wolfe and the James Taylor Coverlet Collection will also be on display, as well as a wide range of fiber arts creations. The August 11 event is open to the public, and is free of charge.

On Friday, August 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the museum will host a symposium. The day starts with lectures by noted local fiber artists Luella Doss, Joyce Krueger and Kay Walters, speaking about log cabin quilts, rug hooking and Wisconsin wool. Later in the morning, Illinois artist Rod Buffington will talk about his paintings, inspired by traditional log cabin designs. From 1 to 3 in the afternoon, Milwaukee quilter Ethel White will demonstrate log cabin foundation piecing and bed turning. All events are free of charge and open to all. Reservations are requested, and can be made by going to the WMQFA’s website, www.wiquiltmuseum.org , or by calling 262.546.0300.