Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Not that long ago a young woman was expected to have about a dozen quilt tops finished prior to her marriage.
Neighborhood women would then gather and quilt the pieces before the wedding ceremony.
The gathering was called a quilting bee and served as more than a good start for a new couple. The quilting bees were an opportunity to share news, recipes and fellowship.
Girls were trained to sew around the age of 5. The work was industrious, keeping potentially idle hands busy, and quilts are both practical and beautiful.
In times when women had little influence outside that of their husbands' interests, quilts served as a means of making money, enjoying a social circle and decorating the home.
The Old Jail Museum will have about 45 quilts on display May 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Warsaw.
Featuring heirloom and old quilts, the earliest dates back to the 1850s with many from the early 1900s.
According to director Jeannie Jones, there will be 18 quilts from the museum's collection with members of the Kosciusko County Historical Society in conjunction with the Lakeland Quilt Club lending the rest.
There will be a $1 admission to the display.
Some of the history of the quilts is known. The quilt held by Marjorie Priser in the photo is a variation on the ocean wave pattern.
Made by Laura Olive "Ollie" Vandermark, it was the first-prize winner at the 1918 Kosciusko County Fair for best patchwork and best comforter. Vandermark's mother, Mrs. William Mood, received second prize in the quilt category at the fair that year.
Marjorie Himes holds an 1876 Indiana Centennial quilt that belonged to the Powers family of Etna Green.
Himes also has the baby quilt her grandmother made for her.
The pinwheel pattern quilt held by Carol Clark dates to 1900.
Other patterns on display include a variety of crazy quilts, pieced and appliqued quilts and comforters.
None of the quilts are for sale and will be on exhibit in the bedroom and music room upstairs and the bullpen, dining room and kitchen downstairs.
The Old Jail Museum is at the corner of Indiana and Main streets in Warsaw.
Regular hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, call 269-1078.
