This is a close up of a “Crazy Quilt” made in 1885 that is part of the Botetourt County Historical Museum Holiday Antique Quilt Exhibit. Crazy quilts or Friendship quilts do not use a repetitive block motif or pattern. They are designed to display the quilters’ ability to embellish their work with ornate stitches on rich velvets, silks and satins. They were a popular parlor quilt in the late 1800s. This one shows off the work of the daughters of William Henry “Billy” and Jane Booze of Buchanan. The embroidered initials of Ada Booze Pettigrew, Lee Booze, Alice Booze Zimmerman and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Booze, as well as many of their friends, are on this work of art. It was donated in memory of William and Jane Booze by their great-great-grandchildren, Virginia Swartz Shaver, David Henry Swartz, Jr., Pauline Swartz Turner and Minnie Booze Swartz.
PLEASE NOTE: The museum will be open to visitors until December 31 (closed Christmas Day). While the volunteers are in the process of packing for the move to a new location, the front exhibit space, gift shop and research area are available until then. A spring reopening is anticipated.