Quilts in New Hampshire: Piecing the Story Together This expertly pieced quilt, made about 1840s, is from the New Hampshire Historical Society's collections. It is attributed to Abigail Adams Shackford of Newmarket who was born about 1818. Quilts in New Hampshire: Piecing the Story Together was a two-part exhibition of 30 historic quilts on view at the Museum of New Hampshire History from February 14 through September 6, 1998. The quilts, made in New Hampshire from the 1780s through the 1940s, were shown in two groups of 15. The exhibition also includeded quilt making tools, quilt patterns and other examples of quilters' work. Quilts in New Hampshire: Piecing the Story Together was organized by the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New Hampshire Quilt Documentation Project. Since 1988 the volunteers of the New Hampshire Quilt Documentation Project have examined and documented more than 1,000 quilts from private and public collections all over the state. The 30 quilts selected for the exhibition represent some of the state's most intriguing historic quilts, many of which had never been exhibited before. Quilts featured from the New Hampshire Historical Society's collection included the work of Nancy Simes Kaime (1793-1875) of Barnstead. An example of Mrs. Kaime's work won notice as, "a handsome quilt," at a 1858 county fair. Another prize winning seamstress, Margaret Mitchell Batchelder (1784-1876) of Peterborough and New Ipswich, crafted a quilt top around 1820 which was among the earliest quilts on display. Quilts in New Hampshire: Piecing the Story Together introduced visitors to the rich tradition of quilt making in New Hampshire, and gave them a chance to view quilts as both works of art and records of our lives. Focusing on the themes of function, craftsmanship, nostalgia, creativity and gift-giving, the exhibition explored what quilts tell us about the skills, tastes, thoughts and experiences of people who have called New Hampshire their home. The exhibition also made connections between the past and present. At selected times, quilters demonstrated and discussed their craft in the gallery. Major funding for Quilts in New Hampshire: Piecing the Story Together was provided by Citizens Bank, with additional support from Banks Chevrolet-Cadillac, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, Arts in Communities Program, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Nancy Simes Nutter Hoit Kaime (1793-1875) of Barnstead appliqued this quilt in the 1860s. Her husband, Samuel Kaime either cut out or designed the patterns for the quilt. Of Mr. Kaime's involvement in creating the quilt, a descendant of the maker wrote, "...he thought only to please her. The quilt is from the New Hampshire Historical Society's collections. For more information, please contact the New Hampshire Historical Society (dcopeley@nhhistory.org) - Who Are We? - What's New? - Museum - Library - Publications - Membership - Museum Store - School Programs - Programs & Events - Questions & Feedback - Home - Copyright © 2007 New Hampshire Historical Society. Last Modified December 20, 2007.