07.06.08
A Most Extraordinary Life
Since the beginning of March, I have felt blessed to have the opportunity to study the life and the work of Mrs. Webster. No, she is no relation to Daniel Webster, or to the famous Marie D. Webster, as far as we know. To tell you a little bit about her, she was a quilter and a quilt historian. Moreover, she was intelligent, kind, resourceful, and used her many talents. She gave lectures on a number of different topics. I came to know her by studying her so-called, quilt “charts.” They could not be more extraordinary if they were actual quilts, and perhaps they are extraordinary because she put so much time into their creation, when they were meant only for instruction in quilt history.
I have not received my copy yet but someone in Indiana called me today to say how much she enjoyed my latest article in The Quilter magazine, Sept. issue. I am always happy to hear from anyone, especially a dear soul who read the article twice!
There is always more to the story. In this case, there is a lot more. Every day, since March 8, 2008, I have spent many hours reading all of the articles Mrs. Webster wrote and learning about her family and her life. Two members of her family spent a day with us and provided all kinds of wonderful ephemera, letters, and photos, AND brought several quilts.
I have had the assistance of so many people on this project - historians, quilt historians, church people, museums, scientists, writers, other researchers, and others. I am so grateful!
Ultimately, I have gathered so much material together, there is way too much for a book! Jim took photos of every chart design and you just will not believe the amount of documented and researched information that will be on the CD that will be sold by the museum, for the museum.
Though I will not be rewarded in any tangible fashion, I have the satisfaction of having seen this project through to the end, and the joy of knowing that I did a thorough job of documenting the life and the work (all of it) of Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster, New Hampshire’s early quilt historian (1867-1950).
Watch for further announcements about the availability of the CD. Staff members are tied up with other pressing commitments. A tentative first available date is September 10. We’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, enjoy the magazine. I’m so thrilled to be a part of The Quilter!
Patricia Cummings
