On This Day in History Quilt for February 20:
On this day in 1792 President George Washington signed legislation that would renew the 1775 act that made the United States Post Office a cabinet department led by the postmaster general (the first PG was Benjamin Franklin). This act ensured inexpensive delivery of all newspapers and stipulated the right to privacy, and it gave Congress the ability to expand postal services to new areas of the country.
This Postage Stamp quilt top was hand pieced by Louisa Davis and hand quilted by Virginia Newman in 1840 in the Dewitt area of Michigan. Louisa’s great granddaughter, who documented the quilt as part of the Michigan Quilt Project, said “Louisa made this quilt top by candlelight during nights when she could not sleep.”
View this quilt on The Quilt Index to read more about it’s history, design and construction. Be sure to use the zoom tool for a detailed view.
Posted by Amy E. Milne
Executive Director, Quilt Alliance
amy.milne@quiltalliance.org