"It’s impossible in this short period to highlight all the accomplishments of 45 years. Here are just a few events that illustrate what we’ve accomplished that have made a difference.
"In 1977, LQG hosted a NationalQuilters Symposium, held over 4 days at Nebraska Wesleyan where 650 people attended. It was believed it was one of the first national events of its kind. The quilt block designed by E.S Bud Dunklau was selected as the best entry in a quilt block contest and was designated by the 85thState Legislature as the winning entry. It is the official Nebraska Quilt Block. The quilt block was given to the Nebraska History Museum and will be included in a public Nebraska display during the month of June 2018.
"Fast forward to 1985. Twenty-one women from the Lincoln Quilters Guild (the Wednesday Girls), led by director Frankie Best, served on the Nebraska Quilt Project. They set out to document Nebraska quilts that remained in private hands, fearful that the rich heritage inherent in the family quilts would be lost forever, if not documented. They collected information on 1,557 quilt makers who made 3216 quilts between 1870 and 1989. Their work was documented in a book entitled Nebraska Quilts and Quiltmakers edited by Patricia Cox Crews and Ronald C. Naugle. A copy of the book is in the LQG Library.
"Shortly after the results of the state survey were published in Nebraska Quilts and Quiltmakers, Ardis and Robert James began looking for a home for their outstanding collection of nearly 1000 quilts. The James looked at their home state of Nebraska. Impressed by the research in Nebraska Quilts and Quiltmakers and the level of grassroots support found among Nebraskans, they proposed the University of Nebraska Lincoln was an ideal home for their quilts.
"The documentation and research begun by the Nebraska Quilt Project Team paved the way for the formation of the International Quilt Study Center and Museum. LQG raised $50,000 to sponsor a reading room to honor Mary Campbell Ghormley at the Quilt House for starting the guild. This year the International Quilt Study Center & Museum houses the largest publicly held quilt collection in the world and is celebrating their 10thAnniversary.
"Which brings us to 2018. Tonight we celebrate each of you who continue to enhance our legacy. Highlights of the accomplishments of our members are displayed throughout the room.
"I was curious, how many members joined LQG in the first 10 years and are still involved with the guild today? That number was 15."
The Board recognized this 15 as Distinguished Members with a ribbon. Each Distinguished Member was asked to stand as their name was read. Remember, our guild is only as strong as our membership.
Back Left: Millie Corkill, Sandra Anderson, Mildred Fauquet, Sharon Beachell and Pam Haas. Front Left: Frankie Best, Donna Svoboda, Margrethe Ahlschwede, Karalene Smith, and Pat Hackley. Not pictured: Beverly Routh, Jean Davie, Carol Dischner, Pat Cole, and Judy Lane.
