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Quilts from the Depression area will be featured in a Flagg Creek Heritage Society exhibit opening Sunday at the Robert Vial House, 7425 South Wolf Rd.
“There are a variety of quilts and patterns. Some are family quilts with squares representing different family members, some are wedding ring pattern and we have some made out of men’s ties,” said Alice Latham, president of the society.
Some quilts were made from feed sacks and some represent family history, such as the “100-year” quilt, which put together squares from multiple generations, Latham said.
Latham said quilting is still popular and local quilting guilds have been invited to see the exhibit, and have donated quilting books to be featured.
“One of the books is specifically on red and white quilts and we have a beautiful example of one on display. Each square is embroidered with a picture,” said Latham.
Other quilts are made for dolls, crazy quilts made from a variety of material and quilts with a pattern called “grandma’s flower garden,” she said.
Latham said some of the quilts are donated and some are on loan.
“One funny story is we found a couple of these quilts had been used as packing material to wrap furniture, the moving men didn’t know any better,” she said.
Latham said the house also has a rich history. It was built in 1856 by Robert Vial, an early settler of the Flagg Creek area, and previously stood where the Timber Trails Golf Course now located.
“Vial was prominent in the Flagg Creek Community and served as a deacon of the Lyons Congregational Church and treasurer of Lyons Township for 42 years,” she said.
The house was moved in 1977 when the society was looking for an old house to celebrate the bicentennial. It took 10 years to raise the funds to move it to the Pleasant Dale Park District property, Latham said.
The park district owns the house and all of its contents and allows the heritage society to operate the house.
“The Vial house is furnished to reflect the time it was built in 1896 and we want people to feel like they are walking back in time,” said Latham.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
“We have had previous displays of historical significance at the house including wedding dresses, women’s hats, dolls and clothing from different periods,” said Christina Andino, who does communication work for the society.
The heritage society also operates a museum on the park district grounds to display collections donated over many years.
“We have Native American and military displays as well as ladies accessories and a children’s display. We also have farming tools and household implements and many old photographs and books,” said Sandi Bulthuis who is treasurer of the society.
“One of my favorite things is our collection of family Bibles. They provide a unique link with family history.”
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The quilt exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays and from 2-4 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month through October.
