Millennium quilt unveiled

GARDNERVILLE -- Ten months in the making, an heirloom quilt designed and lovingly stitched by a group of 40 Carson Valley women was unveiled Sunday at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center in Gardnerville.

"The volunteer (quilters) chose whatever medium was desired" in making the 45 squares needed for the quilt, said Liz Paul, trustee for the Carson Valley Historical Society and co-chair of the Millennium Membership Quilt project. "They could choose a subject of their choice as long as it depicted life in Carson Valley."

The quilt, which measures 89 by 109 inches, hangs in the museum's center gallery along with 14 other quilts loaned to the museum by various Carson Valley residents and was unveiled to the ooh's and aah's of about 150 onlookers.

Practically every aspect of life in Carson Valley is depicted on the squares from a hot air balloon to a bald eagle, the American flag, to the American Indian.

One hundred and sixty members of the Museum Society paid a nominal fee to have their names stitched on the borders.

To maintain its standing as an heirloom, the quilt was hand stitched by a group of "12 very dedicated women," Paul said.

The Millennium Membership Quilt was created to provide future generations a sense of community, a limited commemorative poster reads. A framed poster autographed by the quilters will be raffled off April 28.

The project was funded in part by a grant from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, Paul said.

The museum hosts numerous events throughout the year. April 28 is a book signing for local and regional authors. A preservation seminar is being held there on May 18. In July will be that annual Art and Wine Festival.

BREAKOUT

To see the quilt visit the Carson Valley Historical Society Museum at 1477 Highway 395 North in Gardnerville. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. year round. For more information call 782-2555.