International Quilt Study and Center Museum in Lincoln, NE

Comment

Comment by Boo on February 3, 2013 at 11:40pm

My first thought is the small museum may appreciate the historic value of your quilt.  It could be one of the first memory quilts donated.  I suppose you will need to ask a few more questions before you make this decision.  Good luck to you.

Comment by Irene Gallway on February 1, 2013 at 5:13am

This is a hard choice to make. But since Gram didn't leave her beloved State of Nebraska all her life, I guess I would assume she would be honored to have it hung in her own museum.  But the choice comes down to who is going to take the best care of it. 

Comment by Pam/NY on January 31, 2013 at 4:29pm

Handstitcher, good point...I wondered about that myself.

Comment by Pam/NY on January 31, 2013 at 4:28pm

Yes, PQ the print got smaller.

Comment by handstitcher/IL on January 31, 2013 at 3:49pm

One question to ask either museum -- do they ever de-acquisition donated quilts? Unfortunately, many museums do not have the storage facilities to store all the items donated to them and do cull their collections over time. I know that has happened in the county historical museum in NY where my family is from and many people who have donated items have been very unhappy about it. Also, for the local museum, is there a person who is knowledgeable about textiles overseeing the quilts there? Our local historical museum is fortunate to have an AQS certified appraiser overseeing their quilt collection. Personally, I love our local historical museum and visit it at least once annually. Good luck with your decision!

Comment by Prairie Quilter/NE on January 31, 2013 at 3:27pm

Is it just my computer or was the print on my post really small after the first sentence?

Comment by Pam/NY on January 31, 2013 at 2:12pm

PQ, I was thinking the way you stated about not many would attend a local museum. I've never been to ours here! Shame on me...but, if there was an actual quilt museum here, I'd go every time there was a new exhibit. So, I'm going to try the International first. Thanks for your opinions!

Comment by Prairie Quilter/NE on January 31, 2013 at 12:06pm

Great question, Pam.  Your local museum would no doubt LOVE to have the quilt as part of its history collection.  Hopefully they would have the ability and know-how in the storage, display and preservation of quilted items.  It would be fun to know the quilt came full circle and was back "home."  

The one thing most may not understand about local quilt museums in Nebraska is that outside of Lincoln & Omaha, the rest of the state is pretty rural and not specifically catered to tourism.  I'm not sure how many locals visit their historical museums.  Our local museum doesn't even have regular hours.  

The other consideration is of traffic.  If my understanding is correct, the quilts are on a rotation through the display at the International Quilt Museum.  It's possible your quilt may get more viewings in one day at the IQM than the local museum gets in a year.  However, if it is just going to be stored and not seen or enjoyed, that might not be what you had in mind for your legacy quilt.

Good luck making your decision.  I'm glad you are considering your options while you still have a choice so that someday it isn't just thrown out or auctioned off with your estate things.   

Comment by Barbara Graham on January 31, 2013 at 10:54am

Ooh, you can't really go wrong. It would be lovely to see it exhibited.  I was watching a Smithsonian thing  not long ago about their antique quilt collection--but--they are all in special drawers, carefully preserved but unseen byt the public.

Comment by Carol Ann Hinton on January 31, 2013 at 10:33am

That's a good question, and I think BJ may have the best answer.  I always feel that local treasures should stay local where they may be appreciated more.  Large collections are sometimes better cared for however.  Your generous act of donation to either place is a great gesture.

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