The newest Quilt Square was unveiled at Chuck Lanier's house on November 15, 2008. The Quilt Block is called the Bicentennial Block and is full of family history for the Lanier family.
Mr. Lanier's mother was an avid quilter her entire life and won many prestigious quilt shows in West Virginia and Ohio. She actually won so many quilt shows in Columbus that she was asked by the Sterns and Foster Mattress Company to quilt a design they had developed to celebrate the Bicentennial of the US. Mrs. Lanier, her husband Wallace, and another quilter Mrs. James Thornton made the quilt. Mrs. Lanier did the quilting, Mrs. Thornton did the appliqué work, and Mr. Wallace did the cutting out of the quilt pieces.
The quilt was displayed in the town of Eleanor during the Putnam County Fair on July 17, 1975 and many other places around the area to in celebration of the Countries Bicentennial by Sterns and Foster.
Once the quilt made the rounds on tour it was cut up into four pieces and sold to the highest bidder. The pieces went for around $1,000 each, while the ladies and Mr. Lanier only got $300 for all their hard work. It also upset Mrs. Lanier to see the quilt cut into pieces.
Mrs. Lanier passed away two years ago well into her 90's. Her family said up until the last five years of her life she quilted everyday, usually 8 hours a day only taking time for food and to watch Price's Right. The family felt this was a perfect tribute to a lady that played such an important part in their lives, but also to the celebration of America's Bicentennial and Appalachian Quilting Heritage.
Original photo of full quilt with artisans featured in the Charleston Gazette 1975.
Visitor
Oct 8, 2009
11:40 am
THANKS for information!
THANKS for information!
Visitor
Dec 19, 2008
9:10 pm
Quilt Barns
Should note that the block is located in Mason County.
Mrs. Lanier's son lives in Mason Co.
scott Byars
Dec 15, 2008
9:14 am
Mason County not Putnam.
Mason County not Putnam. Just wanted to clarify that this Quilt Square is on display in Mason County, WV. Near the State Farm Museum and the Mason County Fairgrounds, if anyone is on the hunt to locate it. It is also lighted at night for a beautiful effect. Hope you get to see it and the many others being displayed throughout Mason County.
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