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Very few fundraising quilts were recorded during
the “1985-86 North Carolina Quilt Project Documentation” that
were made prior to the 1920’s. Similar and yet unlike
friendship quilts, which have survived for more than 100+ years,
fundraising quilts are a more modern phenomenon. Fundraising
quilts first appeared in North Carolina in the
20th century. Historically, fundraising quilts have
benefited specific goals for schools, churches, and various
community projects.
The Martin County Extension & Community
Association’s (formerly known as Extension Homemaker Association
- EHA) fundraising quilt for the restoration of the Old Martin
County Courthouse, like those in the past, has unique
components.
Jackie Mobley, then an EHA member, designed and
quilted the replica of the front of the old courthouse. This
center design is surrounded by 33 blocks of the “Courthouse
Steps” pattern (a variation of the “Log Cabin” pattern). Within
these steps, names were embroidered by local EHA members who
assembled and quilted the quilt.
The border of the quilt is one-half of the “Brick
Walk” pattern. Names are also included in this design. The
original size of the quilt was to be 72” x 84,” however an extra
row of the steps pattern was added to accommodate additional
names, making the quilt a bit longer.
A person living in the county (a current
resident) or a person being a native of the county and living
outside the county could have their name included on the quilt.
Names and monies for the quilt were collected during1990 -1994
by county EHA members. The goal of the project was to record
600 names on the quilt. The completed quilt has a total of
561names - individuals at $10 per name and 17 non-profit
organizations at $50 per name, generating approximately $6,500
for the project.
In addition to its fundraising goal the EHA group
also wanted the quilt to be a “living” history of people and
organizations in Martin County in the early1990”s.
Final plans are for the quilt to be hung in the
restored courthouse so that all may remember and enjoy this
project and its history. In the meantime the quilt is in the
possession of the Friends and it is displayed during other Old
Courthouse fundraisers and historical type functions.
Submitted by: Ila F. Parker, Martin County
Extension Agent, retired
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