1980-1989

Michigan State University Museum; Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Cuesta Benberry Quilt and Ephemera Collection

Riverside, California, United States

A bi-fold pamphlet of an exhibit at the Riverside Municipal Museum

Patterns of Life: Cultural Diversity and American Quilts
Photograph, Family c. 1930.
Collection of America Hurrah Antiques, NYC

Piecing Together A Heritage
The quilts of American women have provided a vital record of their lives through the centuries. Quilts have acted as journals, diaries, and drawings - traditional sources of learning about America's past. American women, irrespective of their ethnic background, have often been limited in their formal education and leisure time, thus their quilts gave them a vehicle of expression.

In America, the quilt has served as a common link betwee diverse cultures. By the late 19th century, African-Americans and Native-Americans had both established quilting traditions. These peoples had learned European-American techniques and patterns, but in each instance had adapted them to their own cultural practices.

Citrus Heritage Quilt, c. 1896;
made by Mrs. E. M. Sheldon;
gift of Mrs. Helen G. Halbach, A511-14.
Photo John Kleinman

SUGGESTED READINGS:
Benberry, Cuesta. "The Storytellers: African-American Quilts Come to the Fore." In Quilter's Newsletter Magazine. No. 227, November 1990.

Ferrero, Pat, Elaine Hedges, and Julie Silber. Hearts and Hands, The Influence of Women & Quilts on American Society, San Francisco, CA: The Quilt Digest Press, 1987.

Green, Rayna, ed. That's What She Said: Contemporary Poetry and Fiction by Native American Women. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1984.

Kidder, Harriette Smith. Diary [MS]. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Library, 1847.

Kniseley, Florence V. Days of My Life: Memories of a Kansas Mother and Teacher. New York, NY: R. R. Smith, 1939.

Ramsey, Bets. "The Land of Cotton: Quiltmaking by African American Women in Three Sourthern States," In Uncoverings 1988. San Rafael, CA: American Quilt Study Group, 1988.

Rawick, George P., ed. The American Slave: A Composite Autobiography. Vols. III, IV, V, XVI, Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1972.

Trollope, Frances. Domestic Manners of the Americans. New York, NY: Dodd, Mead and Co., 1901.

Wahlman, Maude Southwell and John Scully. "Aesthetic Principles in Afro-American Quilts." In Afro-American Folk Art and Crafts, edited by William Ferris. Boston, MASS: G. K. Hall and Co., 1983.

Riverside Municipal Museum
Exhibit Project Staff and Associates

Co-Curator: Vincent Moses
Co-Curator: Brnda Buller Focht, Ph.D.
Curatorial Consultant, Native American Artifacts: Christopher L. Moser, Ph.D.
Curatorial Assistant: Susan Sones
Project Consultants and Lecturers: Cuesta Benberry, Pat Ferrero, Marsha MacDowell, Catherine McLean, Julie Silber
Educational Outreach: Margaret Smith-Walker
Exhibit DesignerDasia Bytnerowicz
Exhibit Set Production Gary Ecker
Exhibit Set Production Assistant:
Sylvester "Pete" PedrozaQuilt Photography: John Kleinman
Historic Photographs: America Hurrah Antiques, NYC; Southwest Museum
Museum Director: Publicity Materials:
Ruckle & White Corporate Advertising

Exhibition objects came from the Riverside Municipal Museum collection, as well as, the Neutrogena Corporation, Michigan State University Museum, High Desert Museum, Rachel Clark, Robert Dyer, Alta Hobbs, Lizzetta LaFalle-Collins, Marjorie McKinley, E.F. "Sandy" Sandison, Margaret Smith-Wisker, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Guy, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly Hillenburg, and Mr. and Mrs. William R. Woodford.

Funding for this project has been provided by grants from the Riverside Arts Foundation, California Council for the Humanitites, Sunkist Growers, Inc., San Antonio Orchard Co. Inc., and Riverside Museum Associates.

In-kind donations have been provided by Ruckle & White Corporate Advertising, John Kleinman Photography, and the City of Riverside Development Department.

This brochure was funded, in part, by a grant from the California Council for the Humanities.

City of Riverside
Historic Resources Dept.
Riverside Municipal Museum
3720 Orange Street
Riverside, CA 92501

Accredited by the American Association of Museums