The New England
Quilt Museum
18 Shattuck Street
Lowell
508-452-4207
Summary:
This museum is dedicated to preserving
the beautiful and historic old quilts of
America, as well as sponsoring temporary
exhibits highlighting contemporary fabric
art that push the envelope of quilt
design and construction.
The New England Quilt Museum
is located in a former bank building just
around the corner from the headquarters
for the Lowell National Park site. The
first floor of the space is devoted to
offices, classrooms, and a wonderful gift
shop (more about that shortly). The
second floor houses the quilt galleries,
which are split between permanent rooms
showcasing a particular period or style,
and the main gallery which houses
temporary or traveling shows dedicated to
the new and noteworthy in historic and/or
artistic expressions in fabric.
The period rooms are a slice
of Americana. Quilts hanging on walls,
draped over chairs, or even laid on a
bed, give the flavor of life in past
centuries. From elaborately embroidered
crazy quilts to bold, striking applique
to the exquisite needlework in a
patchwork wedding quilt, the quilts are
an amazing representation of how American
women could transform scraps of leftover
fabric into warm, beautiful objects for
the home. We only wish the museum had
more examples to show!
Over the years, we have seen
some wonderful shows at this museum, from
modern Japanese quilts, whose technique
and interpretation of traditional
patterns was breathtaking, to traditional
antique works from private collections.
After years of financial struggle, the
museum finally is able to begin
purchasing quilts, in order to preserve
examples of this important American
art-form. Some 150 quilts have already
been acquired since the museum opened its
doors in 1987.
The museum also offers
classes and workshops. The expansive gift
shop is a cornucopia of quilt-related
items, from special, one-of-a-kind
fabrics, sometimes handmade or hand-
dyed, to quilted vests and lap robes, to
books and magazines about quilting. This
is a must-stop for the perfect gift for a
crafty friend or loved one!
For hours, admission fees,
exhibition descriptions and directions,
visit the New England Quilt Museum's web site.
by Judith Otto
The Boston Insider
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