Family collection of quilts at museum

The Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum exhibit of the Hartsfield Quilt Collection, “Caldwell, Love & Hartsfield Family of Quilters”, opens Jan. 30 The Hartsfield’s collection roots date back to the early 1850s beginning with Ms. Molly, who lived in Whitlock, Tenn. She was the slave seamstress for a plantation master.

“Beholden” to her slave master’s wishes, she bore two children by the owner, one a son, Richard Caldwell. Caldwell was nine years old when he became a free person. He kept his mother’s quilts, which were passed on down through the family until inherited by his great, great, grandson, Jim Tharpe, of Seattle.

The collection has never been exhibited in its entirety. This 12-piece exhibit will be accompanied by family photographs and historical context.

“From my mother’s perspective, her mother, Lena Hartsfield, was the first generation responsible for maintaining the quilts’ care, before passing them on to her heirs. To insure the quilts were appropriately maintained, Lena Hartsfield required that her children understood the significance of the quilts to the family history. She instilled in each of her children the importance of caring for the family quilts.” Jim stated. “Out of respect for my mother’s wishes, she wanted me to name the quilt collection after my grandmother Lena, thus the “Hartsfield Quilt Collection.”

“This exhibit is exactly the kind of opportunity we love! It offers wonderful examples of traditional quilt patterns while also honoring a deep family and cultural history,” said Amy Green, the museum’s executive director. “We are especially delighted to have the exhibit here in February, which is Black History Month. We will also be able to share this with many of the area’s 5th grade students as part of an educational program collaboration with the Fidalgo Island Quilters Guild that happens during the exhibit months.”

The opening, as well as the concurrent opening of the annual “Birds of a Fiber” exhibit, will be celebrated with a public reception Feb. 2, 3-5 p.m. The reception is free. This exhibit is made possible in part by a generous sponsorship from Glenys Baker.

The exhibit runs through April 28. Information: http://www.qfamuseum.org, 360-466-4288,

Source: Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum