Civil War Reproduction Quilt Contest Award Winners Announced

Linda Whitestone (left) with "Remembrance"

Civil War Reproduction Quilt Contest

Award Winners Announced

Winners of the Civil War Reproduction Quilt Contest were announced at the quilter reception held recently at the Orange Historical Society.  The quilt contest was part of the July Quabbin Civil War Remembrance held to honor the 150^th Anniversary of the American Civil War.

“The 1st place, Hand Quilted Award winner was Linda Whitestone for her quilt titled, “Remembrance” which memorializes the Abolitionist movement and the Ant-Slavery Fairs where quilts were sold to raise funds for the cause.  The 2nd place, Hand Quilted Award was presented to Anita Bevis for “Americana” which featured an American Eagle,” Genevieve Fraser, the Quabbin Civil War Remembrance coordinator, stated.

Nancy Blackmer (lt) and Historical Society president, Irene Ballou display Anne Markol's "Mary's Flower Garden"

The 1st place, Machine Quilted prize was awarded to Anne Markol for “Mary's Flower Garden” quilted to honor the memory of Mary Todd Lincoln and all she endured with the loss of three children due to illness, as well as her brothers who fought for the Confederacy and the assassination of her husband, Abraham.  According to Markol, “She often visited hospitals where she distributed flowers to wounded soldiers.”  

Jennifer Aldrich's "Potholder"

The 2nd place, Machine Quilted prize was awarded to Jennifer Aldrich for “Pot Holder Quilt.” This type of quilt was often sewn by New England women for the soldiers.

Anita Bevis (right) displays "Americana" with Nancy Blackmer

Becki Stratton from A Notion to Quilt served as the judge for the quilts. Ingrid Whitten and Ames Trophy provided trophies and ribbons, and Kirby Lecy and Nancy Blackmer organized the contest.  Prizes were contributed by Massage by Alisha, Maple Grove Farm House Bakery, North Quabbin Community Co-op and North Quabbin Woods.  The quilts were exhibited in the Orange Town Hall during the production dates for “Lincoln: The Musical.”

TOP PHOTO CAPTION:  Linda Whitestone (left) and Nancy Blackmer (right) hold up the 1st prize Hand Quilted Award winning quilt entitled, "Remembrance," at the Orange Historical Society.  The Civil War Reproduction Quilt Contest was part of the July Quabbin Civil War Remembrance in honor of the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War.

PHOTO CREDIT: Genevieve Fraser

"Lost Quabbin Towns during the Civil War" to Kick-Off Remembrances at 2:00 on July 4 in Orange

Elizabeth Peirce, Curator of SRVHS

"Lost Quabbin Towns during the Civil War" to Kick-Off Remembrances at 2:00 on July 4 in Orange   

 The “remembrances” portion of the day-long July 4th Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day will kick off at 2:00 pm at the Orange Town Hall with Elizabeth Peirce, curator of the Swift River Valley Historical Society who will speak on the Lost Quabbin Towns of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and Prescott. during the Civil War.  The Orange Town Hall is located at 6 Prospect Street in Orange, MA.  All events - starting at 9:30 am at the Orange Gun Club, 357 West River Street - are free and open to the public. 

Along with informal presentations and discussions where the public is invited to share stories, letters and diaries of ancestors or former area residents who were part of the American Civil War, additional speakers will include James Smethurst, Professor of Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who will focus on freed Blacks during the Civil War and their admiration and love for Abraham Lincoln as well as Black soldiers who served.  

Chuck Berube will be on hand as Abraham Lincoln, a role he plays in “Lincoln: The Musical” that will open on Saturday, July 7 at 7:00 pm.  Tim Waite will perform Mark Twain’s “The Campaign That Failed,”and Larry Buell will present Lucius Spooner, a 19^th century farmer from Petersham who lived through the Civil War.  Richard Sheridan, the chairman of the Orange Select Board and Genevieve Fraser, the over-all coordinator of the day's events, will read letters from Orange residents during the Civil War.  Members of the 15^th Massachusetts Civil War Infantry will also share stories of the people they represent.  

Additional plans for the day include a Black Powder shoot and discussion on armaments during the Civil War, along with reenactments starting at 9:30 am at the Orange Gun Club, to be followed by a Bar-B-Que.  Ken Levine and friends will supply the music for the day.  And starting at 2:00 pm, the Orange Historical Society & Museum, 41 North Main Street, Orange, MA (2 doors up from Town Hall) will serve Tea, followed by a dinner and “Tin Type Show and Tell” at 5:00 pm.  For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser at Tel. (978) 544-1872.