Annual quilt program Wednesday at McHenry County Historical Society
Quilt aficionados and Civil War buffs, alike, will have an opportunity to satisfy both desires during the McHenry County Historical Society's annual quilt program Wednesday.
The program begins at 1:30 p.m. at the museum, located at 6422 Main St. in Union.
Veteran quilters and appraisers Sandy Schweitzer, Holly Scott and Carol Sek will present "Civil War Quilts: Stitching Together A Nation," which will include an appearance by professional quilt appraiser and lecturer Kathy Jayko.
Jayko said she became enamored with Civil War nurse Mary Ann Bickerdyke years ago while substitute teaching at Hannah Beardsley Middle School in Crystal Lake, when a fellow teacher gave her a newspaper clipping about a "Mother" Bickerdyke monument in Galesburg - where she moved in 1846 from Ohio.
Although her husband died shortly thereafter, that did not deter Bickerdyke. There was no question which Galesburg resident should deliver $500 worth of medical supplies for soldiers in downstate Cairo. Bickerdyke used the supplies to establish a hospital there renown for its cleanliness. She then traveled with various Union armies throughout the war setting up dietary kitchens and laundry services. She solicited money for food and recruited nurses. She encouraged sewing circles to stitch everything from bandages to blankets for the troops.
By the time the war ended, Bickerdyke had established some 300 field hospitals with the help of the U.S. Sanitary Commission. And she had tended to the wounded - of both sides - on 19 different battlefields.
"It just wasn't what women did during the Civil War," said Jayko, of Crystal Lake. "They stayed at home, didn't work and didn't do things. This woman really did."
After the war Bickerdyke lobbied for soldier benefits and became an attorney, working for the Salvation Army in San Francisco to help veterans with legal issues.
She later moved to Kansas, where she remained for much of the rest of life and where she died in 1901. She is buried in Galesburg.
"She wasn't a follower because there was no one of follow," Jayko said. "She was a leader, a real mover and shaker."
Another group of dedicated women, including many from the Gazebo Quilters Guild in Huntley, launched an area Quilts of Valor program in 2011 following a meeting at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum. Since that time the group of about 50 quilters has presented about 900 patriotic quilts to deserving veterans.
"It's kind of like we bleed red, white and blue," said Sue Bruss, who co-chairs the effort with Jan Meyer. The dynamic duo will present four quilts Wednesday.
Those attending the program also will be able to look at a number of unique quilts - some from the museum's collection and others brought by their fellow quilters. Buy chances to win the cutting edge indigo quilt, "Mood Indigo, sewn by the society's Heritage Quilters. In addition to recognizing the once coveted indigo dye used in a portion of the fabric, the churn-dash quilt pays homage to a classic jazz number made famous by Duke Ellington. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5, with all proceeds benefiting the McHenry County Historical Society & Museum. The drawing will be at about 3:30 p.m. The winner need not be present.
A new "fall fabric frenzy" also will accompany this year's event. Shop before or after the program through tables of donated fabric - priced at $1 a yard or less. A huge variety of color-matched bundles, Christmas fabrics, some kits and notions. Buy an in-the-box Grace Company Quilting Frame or peruse stacks of donated quilt magazines.
Admission to the quilt program is $3 for society members and $5 for nonmembers. For more information or to buy quilt tickets, visit www.GotHistory.org or call (815) 923-2267.