{span id="docs-internal-guid-7507d782-7fff-b121-6f43-a3bbb3ce1e3c"}{span}What began as a simple way to encourage museum attendees grew to an impressive exhibition that exceeded expectations -- featuring about 70 unique quilts of all shapes, sizes and stories.{/span}{/span}
The recent quilt show held at the Bear River Valley museum in Tremonton March 1 -2 was a resounding success. The event, organized by the local chapter of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, drew an unexpected number of both visitors and quilt submissions. What began as a simple way to encourage museum attendees grew to an impressive exhibition that exceeded expectations -- featuring about 70 unique quilts of all shapes, sizes and stories.
"We didn't anticipate this much involvement," said Becky Christensen, a member of the GFWC and one of the event organizers. "It's really snowballed, and the response was overwhelming."
One of the highlights of the show was the variety of stories behind each quilt. Many of the pieces held a personal significance, and many captured a small piece of history. One featured quilt was made from old family dresses and flower sacks, created by a woman to preserve memories of her grandmother, another was embroidered entirely by hand in the 1920s and has been kept in the family since then.
"We've had so many quilts brought in and they are truly amazing," Christensen said, noting that the show features everything from antique hand-sewn quilts to modern themed pieces.
Another quilt was made by community member Donna Garrett on behalf of her daughter who works for the Logan library. The quilt took a year and a half to make and resembled a shelf full of books and symbols that represent her daughter, adding to the bright display throughout the museum.
"It's like walking through a kaleidoscope," Christensen said.
Showcasing the talents of community members was one hope of the GFWC, and the 70 submissions certainly did just that. But the goal was also to showcase the Bear River Valley Museum itself -- a place special to Tremonton and the surrounding locale.
"Our goal with the quilt show was both to bring more people into the museum and highlight the skills and talents of our local quilters," Christensen explained. "It's a way to revitalize the interest of the community in the museum, especially since the people who keep it running have limited time and resources."
Outside of hosting events like the quilt show, the Bear River Valley Museum is home to many exhibitions, including displays dedicated to local veterans and the town's history. Located right on Main Street, the museum is open for visits on weekdays, offering visitors a chance to explore its many exhibits and learn more about the history of the area.
For those unable to attend the quilt show, the museum encourages community involvement in other ways, whether by donating, volunteering or simply signing the guestbook during visits.