Press Room --
 LOCKPORT—On March 15, 2011, the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery will open a new exhibition entitled Amish and “English”: Quilts from the Illinois State Museum Collection. The exhibition includes full-sized quilts dating from 1870 thru 1950 by thirteen different makers and runs through September 16, 2011. Special events and programs are planned; please call the gallery for information or visit our website (www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/lockport). Because in many aspects of their lives the Amish have sought separation from the “English” world—all people outside the Amish community—it is tempting to assume that their quilts were also made in isolation from larger American trends. This comparative exhibition of Amish and “English” quilts dispels this notion. In fact, in Illinois both Amish and “English” quilters often used the same fabrics, techniques, colors, formats, and patterns with only a few exceptions. This richly textured exhibition offering side-by-side comparison of quilts and quiltmakers provides insight into the qualities that make Amish quilting similar and different from “English,” or non-Amish. Among the comparisons are those made using Amish and “English” examples of utility quilts (like scrap and crazy quilts), published commercial patterns like the Amish Rocky Road to California and the “English” Tangled Cobweb, and the Amish Framed Star (made entirely of scraps) and Bertha Stenge’s award-winning “English” Star of Constantine made with over 7200 pieces of fabric in 500 colors. The Illinois State Museum fine and decorative arts collections are housed in Springfield and number in the thousands. The collection includes over 400 quilts, reflecting not only the trends in quiltmaking over 175 years but the artistry and craftsmanship of Illinois quiltmakers. Over 90 percent of the quilts in the Museum’s collection were created by Illinois quiltmakers, including 150 quilts by Illinois Amish, a community in east central Illinois, near Arthur. The Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery is located on the first floor of the historic Norton Building at 201 West 10th Street in Lockport, Illinois, and is fully accessible to all physically challenged individuals. Museum hours are noon until 5:00 pm on Sunday and 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The Museum is closed Saturdays and State Holidays. Admission is free. For information on exhibitions and related programs, becoming a member of the Friends of the Lockport Gallery, directions to the museum, or to schedule a group tour of ten or more, please contact museum staff at (815) 838-7400 or visit the museum online at https://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/lockport/. The Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery is part of the Illinois State Museum system, including sites in Springfield, Rend Lake, Chicago, and Lewistown.
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