About the Exhibit

Pieces of the Past: Quilts Tell a Story originally was a physical exhibit at the Woodson History Center. The quilts chosen for display all came from the collection of the Marathon County Historical Society. All have local connections and a story that could be documented.

These quilts give a glimpse into the lives of women through their handiwork. For example, a quilt composed of small fabric hexagons, made by a Mosinee woman in the early 20^th century, is said to have no two pieces alike. A 1940s quilt made by Methodist Church women in Brokaw was raffled off as a fundraiser. And a stunning quilt from the 1860s shows the meticulous effort that turns these “handcrafts” into timeless works of art.

Any quilt ever made began as a selection of fabric, often scraps left from some other project such as making clothes. Someone took the time to choose fabrics to stitch together in a way that created the design. Quilts can trace family connections, as older adults teach younger ones to sew, and as people create gifts that mark special occasions in the lives of their loved ones.

Explore these pages to learn about the artistic, cultural, historic, and social importance of the quilts. Learn about the women who made them and how lifestyle, current events, and society affected fabric and pattern choices. Through the quilts and their stories, a picture will emerge of the important contributions made by women at a time when their opportunities remained limited.

Support for Pieces of the Past: Quilts Tell a Story was provided through the Community Arts Grant Program of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, with funds provided by the Wisconsin Arts Board, a state agency; the Community Foundation; and the B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation. Additional support was provided by Sew Smart, The Needle Workshop-The Quilting Workshop, Grant’s March Quilting Mercantile (now out of business), Quilters on the Square, and Pine Tree Quilters Guild.