Description: A Victorian era inscribed quilt returns to Melrose, MA 120 years after it was made. Exhibits, contemporary fiber art, yarn bombing and other events celebrate the city's history and the quilt homecoming.
fiber art (278) melrose (125) national register historic places (5) ma history (3) victorian inscribed quilt (1) yarnstorm (1)
In December 2018, Melrose, Massachusetts welcomed back a Victorian era inscribed quilt. Red and white, made of the Old Italian or Snowflake block, the quilt has more than 220 names. Ann Wasserman, a quilt restorer and anthropologist, researched biographies of 184 of those names. We estimate that the quilt was made around 1897 – 1898.
Melrose resident Alanna Nelson spearheaded the homecoming celebration, which coincided with the Chamber Home for the Holidays and Melrose Open Studio Tour . The “Melrose History Quilt” was on display at the Beebe Estate from December 1 to 22, 2018.
Photos, maps and stories of the people whose names are on the quilt gave visitors clues to life in Melrose 120 years ago. You can download these biographies to learn more.