The Fort Walla Walla Museum has unveiled a new exhibit titled “Fascinating Fabric: Turn of the Century Quilts.” Artifacts include this quilt, created with cigar flannels.

WALLA WALLA, Washington — Fort Walla Walla Museum’s special exhibit opening this month is a heritage quilt exhibit titled “Fascinating Fabric: Turn of the Century Quilts.”

The exhibit features 20 quilts from the museum’s collection, ranging from the 1870s through the 1920s.

Included in the exhibit are two regional Red Cross quilts, one of which the Gardena Ladies Aid Society made during World War I to raise funds for the Red Cross Auxiliary. Each square has the name of a Touchet-Gardena contributor. The names of four local servicemen are embroidered near the center. It was auctioned in 1918 to raise funds at a “Victory Celebration.” Local mercantile store owner Ray Landre was the successful bidder of $110. His name is embroidered in blue.

Another featured quilt is constructed from over 100 handstitched cigar flannels that feature flag patterns of various countries (1880-1915). It was assembled in or after 1912, the year Arizona was admitted as the 48th state, indicated by the two 48-star flags.

According to a museum press release, tobacco flannels were made of cotton flannel fabric and were usually either wrapped around the outside of a cigar box or redeemed with a mail-in coupon for 2 cents. The flannels were made with dyes that run very easily and could be destroyed with one drop of water. Flannels first appeared in the late 1890s.

Flags were one of the most common motifs, made mainly between 1910-1915. Additional themes include rugs, flowers, Indians, baseball players and kewpie dolls.

Fort Walla Walla Museum has not featured a quilt show since 2016. The exhibit opened Feb. 15 and will be on display for multiple months.

About

Fort Walla Walla Museum is located within Fort Walla Walla Park, 755 NE Myra Road. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In March, hours extend to 5 p.m.

Admission is $10 adults, $9 seniors/students, $5 children ages 6–12, and free for children under 6. Museum Members receive free admission all year long. Memberships start at $35.

Find a calendar with upcoming events at fwwm.org/all-events. For more details, call 509-525-7703 or visit fwwm.org.