Jamestown Mini Quilt

Name/Title

Jamestown Mini Quilt

Entry/Object ID

2026.002.001

Description

Made in 2006 for the VQM’s challenge for quilts commemorating the 400th anniversary of Jamestown. This quilt depicts an autumn scene inspired by life at Jamestown Settlement. In the foreground, several women in colonial dress carry baskets and gather produce, while a male figure stands nearby. Behind them are two timber-frame cottages with thatched roofs, enclosed by a wooden palisade fence, with pumpkins and firewood reinforcing a harvest theme. In the background, trees in fall foliage line a gently rising landscape beneath a blue sky, and a sailing ship appears at left. The composition is framed by coordinating borders, including a pumpkin-patterned outer border, and features extensive machine embroidery that adds texture and detail throughout.

Context

Alicia MacWright, maker, is a descendant of Captain John Browning, who was born in England around 1588. He sailed to Virginia in 1621 on the ship Abigail, which landed in Jamestown. This quilt took 2nd place in the Virginia Quilt Museum Jamestown challenge and was displayed in the museum with glass on both sides so you could read the inscription on the back. It then travelled for two years and was exhibited in many places. Among them, it was exhibited in Jamestown's 400th anniversary exhibit where it was seen by Queen Elizabeth II, and it was displayed in the Smithsonian Institute Folk Art Festival exhibit.

Collection

Permanent Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2026.002

Source or Donor

Alicia MacWright

Acquisition Method

Donated

Made/Created

Artist

Alicia MacWright

Date made

2006

Dimensions

Width

35-1/2 in

Material

Cotton

Color

Brown, Orange, Tan, Blue

Condition

Overall Condition

Excellent