Local Quilts on Display at Oregon Trail Center

The National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier is hosting a “Southeast Idaho Folk Arts Showcase” featuring quilts of historical significance from the counties of the eastern corner of the state.  According to the curator, “These quilts tell the history of Southeast Idaho.  Some of them were made to commemorate people and friendships.  Others were made out of necessity; they were made to be used.  All of them tell a story about their creators and what they valued.”

In addition to displays of carefully collected and curated quilts from Idaho’s southeast counties as well as northern Utah, the exhibit features a quilting room where the quilting process is explained and demonstrated, as well as a number of explanatory materials and hands-on activities.  The exhibit is scheduled to run through October 15, with fall hours in place as of September, which means Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment only during the winter.

Local quilter Melissa Thompson was involved in the exhibit.  One of the quilts she supplied was originally made by her grandmother, Donna Murdoch Thompson.  The quilt was made around 1955 when her first two children were born.  She came from poor circumstances, so she used whatever material she had to make quilts.  When Melissa asked her for it, Donna didn’t feel that it was good enough, but Melissa saw the value in having something made by her grandmother.

Another of Thompson’s quilt treasures is “Grandma Medford’s Quilt,” which was made by Melissa’s husband’s 4th great grandmother.  She was from the Chesterfield area and made this quilt sometime in the 1930s.  It has been in a cedar chest for the last two generations and has never been used.  This quilt has been passed down through the family for five generations.  The pattern is called the “Double Wedding Ring” because of the interlocking rings.  It is often made for special occasions such as weddings or anniversaries.

Melissa also made “Eagle Scout” to celebrate her son’s becoming an Eagle Scout in 2014.  

Diane Olson’s “Windmill Farm” quilt is designed to reflect the beauty of the autumn season in Soda Springs.  Diane has lived in Soda for 32 years, and is an artist and teacher.  She started quilting ten years ago when she joined the local quilting guild.  The quilt uses a windmill pattern, which reminds her of the windmill farms in this part of Idaho.

Sandra Martin’s “Idaho: Land of Caring Hearts” is also prominently displayed.  Sandra is the current president of the Caribou Quilt Guild in Soda Springs.  In 2012, one of the members of the quilt guild found the heart pattern contained in the quilt, but unexpectedly passed away that same year.  Her husband gave the pattern and fabric to the quilt guild, and they all worked together to complete it.  This quilt represents the guild’s community and friendship.  

Sharon Berg’s quilt “Gone Fishin’” was made in 2018 for Sharon’s husband Jerry, who passed away shortly after it was completed.  He loved the outdoors, camping, and riding horses.  He also loved fly fishing on the snake river.

Ashley Greer’s “A Year of Happy Camping” is a fun quilt that Greer designed as part of her job.  Each square depicts a month of the year starting from February in the upper left and ending with January,  It was hand-quilted by Ashley and other community members.  The quilt represents Idaho to her because it is the first quilt she completed since returning and features camping and the outdoors.

There are many other quilts of local interest, as well as surprises along the way!  The Center in Montpelier makes for a nice day-trip, especially for those interested in local history, handcrafts, and especially quilts.  Admission is free.