New Milford's Airing of the Quilts to be held on historic Green

By Deborah Rose

NEW MILFORD, Conn. — In a matter of days history and art will merge for a brilliant celebration of thread and fabric.

 An Airing of the Quilts, featuring an extensive display of quilts throughout history, presentations about quilts, and children’s activities will be held May May 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and May 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown New Milford, including on the historic Village Green.

The event is a celebration of “250 years of stitching our country together through thread and fabric,” according to its organizer, the New Milford Celebrates America 250 Committee.

The committee has presented several events over the past few years leading up to the country’ semiquincentennial in 2026. Among them, a Boston Harbor Tea Party, a Patriots’ Day celebration, the planting and dedication of a Liberty Tree, and Culper Spy Ring activities at Sarah Noble Intermediate School.

The town joins other communities around the nation in preparing for the nation’s milestone anniversary. 

The Airing of the Quilts is a collaboration between the committee, the First Congregational Church of New Milford, the New Milford Historical Society & Museum, and St. Peter’s Masonic Lodge.

More than 100 quilts will be displayed over the pews and possibly hung over the rails of the balcony at the church located at 36 Main St., as well as at the historical society at 6 Aspetuck Ave. and the lodge across the street from the museum.

In addition, three special programs with well-known local quilters will be offered May 3 at the lodge.

Several downtown businesses will also exhibit quilts in their windows and some downtown residents may hang quilts on their porches during the event.

Guest speakers will include Sue Reich, a quilter and quilt lecturer, researcher, and appraiser, who will discuss “Quilts and Quiltmakers Covering Connecticut” at 10 a.m.

Quilter Veralyn Davee will present “Quilts: An American Heritage” at 1 p.m.

The Roger Sherman Chapter, NSDAR will hold a presentation of a Quilt of Valor at 2 p.m.

Children’s activities will be offered throughout each day at the lodge.

Kent resident Jo Mellis will demonstrate template cutting both days at the church.

The museum will exhibit approximately 10 of its historic quilts, along with three Roger Sherman Chapter, NSDAR quilts. The oldest quilt from the historical society’s collection dates back to the 1750s.

In addition, quilt squares made by senior center members several years ago that were used for the museum’s Black Experience exhibit will be exhibited during the Airing of the Quilts at the museum.

The squares feature symbols that were used on quilts said to communicate messages to those using the Underground Railroad.

The two-day event is free.

Donations will be accepted to support building funds at both the church and lodge.

Courtesy of New Milford Historical Society/Quilt squares made by senior center members several years ago that were used for the museum’s Black Experience exhibit will be exhibited during the Airing of the Quilts at the museum.

Courtesy of New Milford Historical Society/Large quilts like this one that belongs to the town's historical society will be exhibited.