Catching up with technology, as well as the 1850's at the Wisconsin Fiber Arts & Quilt Museum.

Catching up with technology … or trying! That is, we took these pictures in May at the Wisconsin Fiber Arts and Quilt Museum University Days, but between internal memory, lost connecting cables and you don’t want to hear the rest of my sad story, this is the first time I have had all the pictures together and it was such a fun event I can’t resist sharing.

 

The fledgling museum has acquired property in Cedarburg, Wisconsin on which many buildings from the 19^th century still stand. The plans are drawn and most of the money raised for a major renovation of an1850s barn that will be a first class textile museum with climate controlled storage, research rooms and galleries. In the meantime, the small farm home has been refurbished for shows that change quarterly and the barn is used for large events in its current condition – rustic, but wonderfully rustic!

Luella Doss, a long time friend and a pioneer in every aspect of Wisconsin quilting affairs (i.e the state quilt search, the Wisconsin State Guild, etc.) was the person who asked Stacy (our daughter and also a quilting professional) and me if we would put together an exhibit for the museum and also teach at the University Days. As the time approached, they begged Richard to come along as he has volunteered printing of brochures for the Museum, among other things.

It was crisp, but clear and beautiful as we arrived to be greeted by beautiful poppies that would become our landmark for the correct corner for the museum.

Tents and extra “facilities” were already in place around the museum grounds when we arrived, including a display of the drawing of the future museum.

In the meantime, our classes would be held in the barn. Now I knew Luella had said classes would be in the barn and as an Iowa farm girl I have a real fondness for barns, but, I admit, I didn’t really envision this degree of BARN! Here is Stacy standing in front of the barn as we got ready to unload.

After the initial surprise I fell in love with the whole concept and was envious of the imagination that would say, “We’ll hold classes in the barn, have a potluck lunch and raise some more money for the museum ." 

This is a view of my kaleidoscope class. 

There was lots of good food  -- just like there would have been at an old-fashioned barn-raising and quilting bee.

Look how beautiful this quilt looked against the barn boards:

Yes, those are openings between the boards – built that way to prevent spontaneous combustion, I’m told. Fortunately, it did not rain. 

As a bonus, we three Michells got to spend time with my sister and her husband, Mary and Dave Fuchs and their son Mark and his family who all live in the Mequon/Cedarburg, WI area.