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The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts

The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts, located just east of historic downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin, is dedicated to educating the public about the artistic, cultural, historic and social importance of quilts and fiber arts.

N50 W5050 Portland Rd. Cedarburg, Wisconsin, United States

Museum Website

In addition to quilt documentation, the WMQFA collects and displays important historical fiber arts.  Highlights of its holdings include:
• The Joe and Mary Koval Collection, 27 vintage quilts and a large collection of 18th and 19th century fabrics.  This collection includes a rare and stunning Baltimore Album Quilt, typical of bride’s quilts created in 1845.

•The James A. Taylor Coverlet Collection, 35 hand-woven, 19th Century coverlets, including examples of overshot, double weave, summer and winter in a variety of colors.

•The magnificent Mariner’s Compass Quilt, created in 2006 by Luella Doss and Moey Anderson and many volunteers, based on a Judy Mathieson design.  The quilt recognizes donors, who have collectively raised over $1.3 million for the new museum opening in 2011.

•The Gross Stevengraph Collection contains nearly 300 Stevengraphs. Stevengraphs are small silk, Jacquard woven bookmarks, pictures, greeting cards and postcards. They were a popular novelty of the Victorian era. The images are minutely detailed, which required a perforated card for each movement of the loom’s shuttle.  Subject matter includes royalty, political figures, ships, sports and historical events. This collection was generously donated to the Museum in 2014 by Peter Gross. Mr. Gross’ parents, Alfred and Florence Gross, started the Stevengraph collection. Peter Gross and his wife continued the collection started by his parents, purchasing additions while visiting England.

•A collection of antique sewing machines from treadle to featherweight styles.

•The Maggi and David Gordon Collection, 13 vintage quilts including an Amish Roman Stripe crib quilt and an 1893 Redwork.

•A range of other textiles, including knitted pieces, lace, embroidered work, vintage clothing, hats and aprons.

To see quilts documented at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts click here.