Quilt Museums in the United States

Learn more about the Art of Quilting and Quilt Patterns

Aug 27, 2009

Find quilt museums across the United States where you can explore this art form and learn more about the hidden meanings and history of quilting.

Quilting is an ancient art form that is believed to have developed as a functional item initially but throughout the years quilting has taken on other purposes, some quilting patterns are designed to celebrate special life occasions, some tell stories, and others are a way of expressing oneself artistically.

The United States has a time honored tradition of quilting so it’s no wonder that many quilting museums of substantial exhibits in other museums have cropped up paying homage to quilting.

The National Quilt Museum of the United States, located in Paducah, Kentucky opened in 1991, mainly under the helm of Bill and Meredith Schroeder. The museum currently owns 300 quilts and features some temporary exhibits as well. There are also a number of themed exhibits that can be borrowed for display in your museum or public venue. The National Quilt Museum is a great place to learn about this history of quilting in North America and its current influences in contemporary art.

New England Quilt Museum

The New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts was established in 1987 and features more than 225 quilts with related textiles and tools that tell the history of American quilt making. The museum also offers special tours for groups or workshop space rental when reserved in advance.

In Lowell, you’ll also find the American Textile History Museum. Although not strictly focused on quilts, the museum does have an extraordinary collection of quilts along with some antique fabrics and tools of the trade. It’s interesting to see how not only quilting evolved but how other textile arts have changed throughout the years as well.

LaConner Quilt Museum

The LaConner Quilt Museum is housed in the Historic Gaches Mansion in LaConner, Washington. Created is 1997 the quilting exhibit features three stories of quilts and other textiles from traditional to contemporary with a particular emphasis on works of the Northwest. The unique part of the LaConner Quilt displays are that they are often accompanied by furniture and other household items from certain periods in American history.

People’s Place Quilt Museum

Intercourse, Pennsylvania is home to a beautiful historic Old Country Store with a second floor that is filled with quilting masterpieces. This exhibit is referred to as the People’s Place Quilt Museum and is free to the public. The quilts on display are constantly changing and feature a variety of eras and styles. In addition, the rest of the Old Country Store features unique folk art objects which you can simply peruse or purchase as a souvenir.

Located in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts is a fairly new addition to the United States Quilting Museums but does more than its share to promote the art and craft of quilting in America. With less of a focus on historical pieces and chronological stories of quilting and quilting patterns, the museum features regularly changing displays that give guests a look at both what quilting has been and the direction it is headed in the future.

These are just a handful of the wonderful quilting museums across the United States, each and every one offering a different perspective and approach to the art of quilting in America. Whether you’re an avid quilter, a history buff or just looking to while away some time, a quilting museum is an excellent way to get a look at an art form that is often under appreciated.

The copyright of the article Quilt Museums in the United States in Quilting is owned by Kristin Abraham. Permission to republish Quilt Museums in the United States in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.