More Historical Pillow Covers
Featuring the Civilian Conservation Corps
Letter to Patricia Cummings, Editor and Owner, Quilter's Muse Publications
photo edits by Patricia L. Cummings
First, we must show you the photo, "Rio Grande National Forest," taken by Patti Ives on her Colorado vacation. The image reminds me of the Civilian Conservation Corps camps whose members planted billions of trees. The CCC was a make-work program during FDR's "New Deal" days of the Great Depression.
Pillows Sold by CCC Camps
Sister CCC pillow cover. photo courtesy of Stephanie L. Bushong. All CCC pillows seen here were photographed by the U.S. Forest Service
Sister
Of all the girls
I ever knew,
There never was
One like you,
You're the nearest,
You're the dearest,
Pal I ever knew.
After seeing a photo of a Civilian Conservation Corps. pillow cover in an article featured in The Quilter magazine, Stephanie L. Bushong, an Interpretive Specialist, whose duty station is the Lee Ranger District, George Washington National Forest in Edinburg, Virginia, wrote to send additional photos of CCC pillows from the CCC archival collection. Those photos as well as excerpts from her letter appear below:
"Mother" pillow with the added name, "William Anderson." This CCC pillow is made much like other typical pillows of World War II, at a slightly later time. photo courtesy of Stephanie L. Bushong
Mother
To one who bears the sweetest name
Who shares my joys
Who cheers when sad
The greatest friend I ever had
Long life to her for there's no other
Can take the place of
My dear mother
William Anderson
Co 99 CCC
Fort George Wright, Wash
Dear Mrs. Cummings -
I have enjoyed reading your articles on the military and sweetheart pillows in The Quilter magazine. I was delighted to see a section showing a pillow from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) - 1933-1942. Until your articles I had very little knowledge of the history behind these pillows. Your research has been most interesting.
A "Sister O' Mine" pillow cover in pink and green from the CCC era. photo courtesy of Stephanie L. Bushong
Sister O'Mine
No friend half so near to me
No comrades so true
No pal half so dear to me
Sister as you
IDAHO
Camp Nez Perce
Co 554
My duty station is the Lee Ranger District, George Washington National Forest in Edinburgh, Virginia. We have the honor of hosting the site of the first CCC camp in the nation. As such, we also host the CCC Legacy which is the national CCC alumni and friends organization. We are currently working on a design for a 2,400 square foot interpretive center to commemorate the fine work of CCC. Your research would be most helpful in these efforts.
Quilt made by members of the Dorcas Quilt Guild inVirginia to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
photo courtesy of Stephanie L. Bushong
Mother & Dad
No one knows but Mother and Dad
About the smiles and tears we've had
No other is willing and glad to share
Whatever we have of joy or care
No others of years gone by
Or understand each smile and sigh
For the dearest hearts on this old earth
Are the hearts at home of golden worth.
I am also attaching a quilt created to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the CCC by a local quilt guild in Woodstock, VA. This beautiful quilt is hanging in our office.
Thank you for your articles!
Stephanie L. Bushong
photo sent to us by Stephanie L. Bushong
MOTHER
M is for the million things she gave to me.
O means only that she's growing old
T is for the tears she shed to save me
H is for the heart of purest gold
E is for her eyes with love light shining
R means right and right she'll always be
Put them to-gether they spell
MOTHER
A word that means the world to me.
Note: A guest article by Patricia and James Cummings will be featured in the May 2009 issue of the CCC Legacy Newsletter.
We are always happy to hear from readers who have enjoyed our work. If anyone has more information regarding this topic, please contact Pat & Jim, pat@quiltersmuse.com
Copyright 2009, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH. pat@quiltersmuse.com