Name/Title
Cherry Wreath QuiltEntry/Object ID
1991.001.001Description
White wholecloth design, 9 wreaths, 1 per block (3 blocks by 3 blocks). 16'' squares with 8'' border. Each wreath has 10 leaves outside, 5 inside, and 15 clumps of cherries. Chain stitch embroidery connects the cherries to the wreath.
Self binding, back to front
This is what we believe to be an original open-ended wreath design, possibly an original whole cloth design. The green wreaths are in the shape of a horse shoe with leaves attached and pink stuffed cherries.
There is little to no batting. It was hand-quilted on appliqué blocks. The quilting on the border is feather in the blocks and crossed in between each block. Double crosshatching on the horizontal sashing and feather swags with straight lines on the vertical sashing.Context
Laura Virginia Gruver was born May 8, 1872. She was the second of six children.
Made by Laura Virginia Gruver around 1890, this quilt was made prior to the her wedding to Benjamin J. Hillidge on November 20, 1895. Benjamin was a business man and one-time mayor of Front Royal. He ran the Locust Pin factory, where they made wooden pins for utility poles. The couple had 6 children together with only 4 who survived infancy.
This quilt was created around the Centennial Celebration (Spring 1889) of George Washington's inauguration, which could be why there are cherries.
This was the very first quilt donated to the museum, donated by Laura's daughter in 1991. The museum's opening was attended by the donor in 1995 to see her mother's quilt on display.Collection
Permanent CollectionAcquisition
Accession
1991.001Source or Donor
Ruth H. ConeNotes
Donated on Sept. 4, 1991Made/Created
Artist
Laura Virginia GruverDate made
1890 - 1895Place
* Untyped Place
Reliance, Warren County, VADimensions
Dimension Description
Overall Quilt DimensionWidth
81 inLength
81 inDimension Description
Individual Block DimensionsWidth
16-1/2 inLength
16-1/2 inDimension Notes
9 blocks total, appliquedMaterials
Material
Cotton, MuslinMaterial Notes
Cotton plaindyes on the top and muslin on the backColors
Color
Green, Pink, RedColor Notes
Green is more of an olive color with olive thread. The greens are an example of synthetic dye. Some of the cherries are bright red, while others have faded to a dusty pink. The fibers of a pink cherry compared to a red cherry look to be the same , indicating they are likely from the same fabric and illustrates how different the fabric changes over time.Condition
Overall Condition
GoodNotes
Slight staining, larger water mark in bottom center, 6 bright berries that may be new, faded green to brown wreaths and red to pink cherries, edges are browning. Some dark staining on back.Overall Condition
GoodNotes
Contains sleeve and tagProvenance
Notes
Created by Gruver, then given to her daughter. It was the first quilt of the museum.
