Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
Located in Washington, DC, the Museum for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) have one of the most expansive collection of quilts in America. Since DAR was established over a hundred years ago and many of the quilts were dedicated by their members they also have the provenance of the quilts which makes the DAR collection an invaluable draw to historical-minded quilters. The Museum is fortunate enough to have well over 300 quilts and almost as many coverlets in the collection.
Their online museum collection is located at: DAR Museum.
This seems like a great museum that I would like to visit. Their online museum does have links showing many of the collections the museum has to offer, such as their American Indian's Collection, the Presidents' Collection, and others. I do wish, however, that they offered more images for their online guests. The printed material they present is excellent and interesting but at the end of each article I always wish I could see more of what they have.
The DAR does have a wonderful exhibit on right now: Return to Toyland! From October 3 through February 28, 2009 they will feature late 19th and early 20th century toys from their collection! I think this would be a fun one to visit. Here's an image from their online site - "Jumbo" from about 1904:
The DAR does have a few images from their quilt collection, such as at New Threads: Quilts and Costumes and Home and Country: American Quilts and Samplers in the DAR Museum. Below is an image from this second exhibit, an amazing album quilt called the "The Baltimore Album Quilt Top" from an unknown quilter.
The DAR continues to add to its collection, such as their new 19th century violin and rare and unique manuscript globe. Another recent acquisition is this beautiful 1853 quilt made by Ms. Mary Macubbin Waters:
Their new acquisition article does provide helpful information about this quilt and the quilter: Ms. Waters 1823 Quilt.
Normally, I like to write about museums and how they afford us the opportunity to visit in person and online and view their quilts. The DAR Museum has a unique focus in that I believe they cherish and reflect 18th and 19th century textiles, furniture, toys and many other of their 30,000 objects so many of which come directly from descendants of those involved (in some direct way) with the American Revolution.
They do seem to care about their objects and understand that visitors do want to interact with these items to appreciate them and learn from them. The DAR offered a Quilt Camp this summer for two weeks where children could learn about appliqué and hand quilting and then view the quilts at the museum. What a great concept. For younger children (ages 5-8), they also have a class on finding shapes in quilts. They offer many programs for children to let them experience folk arts, colonial history, and other interesting things: Educational Programs.
If you're in Washington, I do think you'd like their exhibits. Here's a calendar link in case you're traveling that way: DAR Calendar.
And, for fun, I want to include another quilt image I found on their site, it's called "Key Counterpaine Quilt". Imagine the work involved in creating this:
Fiona
Their online museum collection is located at: DAR Museum.
This seems like a great museum that I would like to visit. Their online museum does have links showing many of the collections the museum has to offer, such as their American Indian's Collection, the Presidents' Collection, and others. I do wish, however, that they offered more images for their online guests. The printed material they present is excellent and interesting but at the end of each article I always wish I could see more of what they have.
The DAR does have a wonderful exhibit on right now: Return to Toyland! From October 3 through February 28, 2009 they will feature late 19th and early 20th century toys from their collection! I think this would be a fun one to visit. Here's an image from their online site - "Jumbo" from about 1904:
The DAR does have a few images from their quilt collection, such as at New Threads: Quilts and Costumes and Home and Country: American Quilts and Samplers in the DAR Museum. Below is an image from this second exhibit, an amazing album quilt called the "The Baltimore Album Quilt Top" from an unknown quilter.
The DAR continues to add to its collection, such as their new 19th century violin and rare and unique manuscript globe. Another recent acquisition is this beautiful 1853 quilt made by Ms. Mary Macubbin Waters:
Their new acquisition article does provide helpful information about this quilt and the quilter: Ms. Waters 1823 Quilt.
Normally, I like to write about museums and how they afford us the opportunity to visit in person and online and view their quilts. The DAR Museum has a unique focus in that I believe they cherish and reflect 18th and 19th century textiles, furniture, toys and many other of their 30,000 objects so many of which come directly from descendants of those involved (in some direct way) with the American Revolution.
They do seem to care about their objects and understand that visitors do want to interact with these items to appreciate them and learn from them. The DAR offered a Quilt Camp this summer for two weeks where children could learn about appliqué and hand quilting and then view the quilts at the museum. What a great concept. For younger children (ages 5-8), they also have a class on finding shapes in quilts. They offer many programs for children to let them experience folk arts, colonial history, and other interesting things: Educational Programs.
If you're in Washington, I do think you'd like their exhibits. Here's a calendar link in case you're traveling that way: DAR Calendar.
And, for fun, I want to include another quilt image I found on their site, it's called "Key Counterpaine Quilt". Imagine the work involved in creating this:
Fiona
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