Quilts sought for Airing of the Quilts

NEW MILFORD, Conn. — A unique fabric art display is expected to be a showstopper in town come May.

The New Milford Celebrates America 250 Committee will present an Airing of the Quilts as part of its multi-year celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary. 

The committee is seeking the public’s help in bringing the event to life. Quilters are invited to submit a quilt for the May 9-10 event.

“We’re really excited,” Heidi Norcross, chair of the New Milford Celebrates America 250 Committee, said on behalf of the committee.

Enthusiasm for an event featuring quilts and of this magnitude is contagious. 

“I think it will be really beautiful, really pretty,” said Jane Zatlin of Kent, a member of the Kent Quilters who was contacted to assist with the event because she has coordinated the Kent Quilt Trail the past several years. 

“If we get a decent weekend, it will be fun for everyone to walk around and see everything,” she said. 

Norcross said those interested in participating are required to submit an application. Quilt size, age, and theme are among the key bits of information that will help organizers plan for display purposes.

Quilts will not be judged.

All types of quilts will be considered, including those made by hand and those purchased. Categories are patriotic, antique, contemporary, specialty, unique, applique, other material crafts.

Submissions will be accepted through April 15.

The goal is to display 250 quilts at multiple locations around the quintessential New England Green for the public to view.

In addition, local downtown businesses are encouraged to exhibit quilts in their windows or for downtown residents to hang quilts on their porches during the event.

The two-day event 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.

The Airing of the Quilts will not only include a display of quilts, but presentations by two local quilters. 

Sue Reich, a quilter and quilt lecturer, researcher, and appraiser, and quilter Veralyn Davee will each present a program. Specific topics and other event offerings will be confirmed in the coming days.

Submitted quilts will be showcased on quilt racks at the 11 Aspetuck Ave. lodge and over the pews – and possibly hung over the rails of the balcony – at the 36 Main St. 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.

Dresses worn by past local figures whose portraits hang in the museum’s portrait gallery may also be shown during the special event, according to Joanne Chapin, who is town historian and a member of the historical society board of directors and the New Milford Celebrates America 250 Committee.

A quilt made of fabric from New Milford’s former Bleachery and recently donated by the Aldrich family may be included as part of the display at the museum, too, according to Chapin.

“It might be a good one to hang,” she said. “It’s grays and pinks. It’s really cool that the fabrics are from New Milford and two local people made it.”

Chapin said the event is bringing organizations together, as well as quilters from the Greater New Milford area, including those from the Kent Quilters and the Mt. Laurel Guild.

Zatlin said she thinks it’s “wonderful” New Milford is putting this type of event together. 

She cited the success of the Kent Quilt Trail, an annual sale that features a number of quilted items by local quilters. The works are displayed at businesses around town for a specific length of time. Proceeds raised benefit a nonprofit organization in town.

“It brings people to town,” Zatlin said, relating that Kent businesses have told her that customers have solely shopped or dined at their establishment because they were drawn into it because of the quilt event.

While the concept of the Airing of the Quilts is different, the hope is the same in New Milford – that it will draw people from the region.

The New Milford Celebrates America 250 Committee has presented several events in recent times leading up to the semiquincentennial in 2026. Among them, a Boston Harbor Tea Party and in-school programs. 

The Airing of the Quilts will be held May 2 from 11 a.m. to X and May 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more about the Airing of the Quilts, and to submit a quilt, visit https://sites.google.com/rogershermandar.org/nmct-250/airing-of-the-quilts by April 15. For more information, email NMCT.America250@Gmail.com.

Photos courtesy of Lisa Lawrence/Quilts and quilted wall hangings like this one by former New Milford resident Lisa Lawrence are sought for the May Airing of the Quilts in New Milford.