Submitted by Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum
The Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum will be exhibiting the Hartsfield Quilt Collection, Caldwell, Love & Hartsfield Family of Quilters, beginning January 30 through April 28, 2019.
The Hartsfield’s collection roots date back to the early 1850’s beginning with Ms. Molly, who lived in Whitlock, Tennessee. She was the seamstress for a plantation master and she was his property. As a slave, she was “beholden” to her slave master’s wishes, and she bore two children by her owner, one a son named Richard Caldwell. Richard Caldwell was nine years old when he became a free person. Richard kept his mother’s quilts, which were passed on down through the family until inherited by his great, great, grandson, Jim Tharpe, who now lives in Seattle, WA. The collection has never been exhibited in its entirety and the 12-piece exhibit will be accompanied by family photographs and historical context.
“From my mother’s perspective, her mother, Lena Hartsfield, was the first generation responsible for maintaining the quilts’ care, before passing them on to her heirs. To insure the quilts were appropriately maintained, Lena Hartsfield required that her children understood the significance of the quilts to the family history. She instilled in each of her children the importance of caring for the family quilts.” Jim stated. “Out of respect for my mother’s wishes, she wanted me to name the quilt collection after my grandmother Lena, thus the “Hartsfield Quilt Collection.”
“This exhibit is exactly the kind of opportunity we love! It offers wonderful examples of traditional quilt patterns while also honoring a deep family and cultural history,” said Amy Green, the Museum’s Executive Director. “We are especially delighted to have the exhibit here in February, which is Black History Month. We will also be able to share this with many of the area’s 5th grade students as part of an educational program collaboration with the Fidalgo Island Quilters Guild that happens during the exhibit months.”
The opening of this exhibit, as well as the concurrent opening of the annual “Birds of a Fiber” exhibit, will be celebrated with a reception, Saturday, February 2, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. This exhibit is made possible in part by a generous sponsorship from Glenys Baker.
About Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum
The mission of the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum is to present exhibitions and educational programs in all fiber arts that enrich and inspire, honor cultural traditions, and celebrate the creative spirit. The Museum hosts local, national and international exhibits and educational programs in all fiber arts. The Museum’s permanent collection focuses on the textiles of the Pacific Rim that both exemplify tradition and reflect contemporary trends. The Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization.
The museum is located at 703 South 2nd Street, La Conner and is open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. It is open the same hours every day in April during the Tulip Festival. Admission to the Museum is $7/$5 Military & Student and youth 12 and under are always free! More details can be found at Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum website.
