McHenry historical society puts quilts on display

January's featured art exhibit at the Woodstock Opera House showcases a collection of historic quilts on loan from the McHenry County Historical Society.

A Tumbling Block quilt top from the 1870s uses fabric from a decade earlier. This quilt is on display along with eight others from the historical society's collection. They include a Reform quilt using fabric printed during the William Henry Harrison presidential campaign of 1840; a crazy quilt with a "log cabin" border from the 1880s; and a 4 Patch Medallion quilt that was given as a wedding present to Gertrude Freund of Johnsburg and Nicholas Justen of McHenry in 1879.

The quilts are available for the public to view for free in the Opera House's Community Room Gallery Jan. 9 to Feb. 2. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; as well as before, after, and during performances. The Woodstock Opera House is at 121 E. Van Buren St.

For details about the historical society or its Heritage Quilters group, visit www.gothistory.org.

The Heritage Quilters meet Wednesday mornings throughout the year at the historical society's museum, 6422 Main St. in Union. Beginners are welcome.

The group will host a Quilt Cutting Day and potluck for the 2016 raffle quilt starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14. Bring your favorite dish to pass.

If you are a quilter, bring your favorite scissors, pencil, ruler, chalk to mark dark fabrics, needle, and white or off-white thread.

For information about the McHenry County Historical Society & Museum, call (815) 923-2267 or visit www.gothistory.org.