Cross Country Quilters of Bethel Shares Upcoming Events at Bethel Historical Society

June 26, 2014, at the Bethel Historical Society at 7:30 pm 
Lecture:  Civil War Soldiers' Quilts

As a lead up to our summer exhibit, Pam Weeks, a quilt historian, appraiser and teacher, as well as Curator of the New England Quilt Museum, will present a program about Civil War soldiers’ quilts. Only sixteen such quilts are known to exist, and Pam Weeks has studied most of them in person. During her talk, she will outline the origins of the U.S. Sanitary Commission at the beginning of the War; the roles women played on the home front and the battlefield; and feature the stories of fourteen authentic Civil War soldiers’ quilts. She will also reference the record book of the Ladies’ Union Aid Society of Bethel (1861-1863), which is in the collection of the Maine Historical Society

Following her presentation, she will sign copies of her book, Civil War Quilts, a 192-page hardcover volume containing over 170 photos. Lecture made possible by the Florence Bickford Hastings Traditional Crafts Fund.

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July 5th through August 30th at Bethel Historical Society

Exhibit: "Stitched Together in Time and Place: Valentine Family Quilts"

Held in conjunction with the opening of the new "Mary E. Valentine Collections Wing" at the Society's Robinson House, this colorful display features a variety of quilts dating from the 1860s to the 1970s and that were once owned or made by members of the Valentine family of Bethel.  During the exhibit run, selected portions of the documentary film “Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics" will be shown (acquisition of this film has been made possible by the Society's Florence Bickford Hastings Traditional Crafts Fund).

10:00 am to 4:00 pm, July 5th & 6th only; thereafter, Tuesday through Saturday, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm; Howe Exhibit Hall, Dr. Moses Mason House.

For more information go to www.bethelhistorical,org or contact the Bethel Historical Society at 207-824-2908