I just thought I would give people a heads up about a first ever exhibition of a number of outstanding quilts from the Collection of the D A R ( Daughters of the American Revolution) quilts collection. That organization, of which my wife is a long time member, has an article in the monthly magazine that is sent to members, that caught my eye. The Organization has over 300 Quilts of historical significance starting with a whole cloth Quilt from the era of 1750 right up to the late 1800's. In a rare occurrence, 20 of the quilts will be traveling outside Washington D.C. , to the Houston International Quilt Festival. Oct 30-Nov2. Members of the Texas Society of the D.A.R were instrumental in arranging for this to happen and it should be a great opportunity for some people who might not be able to travel to Washington D.C., to view some of these seldom seen quilts. There a a couple of them with interesting provenance; one was done by Mary Tayloe Key, wife of Francis Scott Key, the man who wrote the Star Spangled Banner. Tho oldest one is a whole cloth quilt made by a member of the Vedder family, between 1750-75 and is an indigo-resist print of pheasant and pomegranate that was popular in that era. Many other offerings from the 1800's are also represented. If you are ever in Washington D.C. you should try to arrange a viewing of the collection at the the D.A.R. Museum. I hope anybody that is planning to go to Houston, will get to enjoy this part of the seldom seen collection.
John