The history of America can be told in quilts, from colonial homemakers to the thrifty blankets made during the Great Depression to today’s improvisational works of art.

Dauphin County Library System has long been part of that history, with quilts made by Friends groups and experienced quilters and Library supporters.

Now, The Library opens a new chapter in its quilting history with the all-age, all-inclusive Women’s History Quilt Project.

• Women’s History Quilt Square Program: Saturday, March 2, noon, Northern Dauphin Library; and Saturday, March 16, noon, Kline Library. Each session is one hour. Registration is required. To register, click on the Upcoming Events calendar at dcls.org, or scan the QR code in the Winter 2023 Compass.

The project invites everyone – any age, any experience – to make a square for a quilt celebrating the heroes of women’s history.

“It’s a very communal thing to build a quilt,” said Library Programming and Outreach Administrator Tynan Edwards. “We made this open to adults and kids to make it a bit more intergenerational. Little kids just want to do an art program. The older members might want to put a little more effort into it, so we’ll get a quilt representing the demographic of Dauphin County.”

Here’s how it works: Pre-registered participants will get quilt squares to decorate in two sessions, one at Northern Dauphin Library and the other at Kline Library. Those with sewing skills can do quilting or sewing, while children or anyone without experience will have access to appliques and other materials for creating no-sew designs.

Designs from other library quilts and books will be displayed around the room for inspiration.

Jenn B. is a Library regular who relaxes with cross stitch and other needle arts but has little quilting experience. Still, she registered herself and her 6-year-old daughter, Sylvia, in the program for its women’s history perspective.

“I love history,” said Jenn, who asked that her last name be withheld due to the sensitivity of her work. “I love women’s history. I was a history major in college. I am my daughter’s Girl Scouts troop leader. I think it’s super, super important to educate my daughter on women’s history and where we came from.”

Jenn expects that her own quilt square will feature Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

“I’m a big fan,” she said.

Her daughter might be inspired to depict Girl Scouts Founder Juliette Gordon Low, or perhaps Michelle Obama, the subject of a school presentation she gave for Black History Month. But that’s up to her.

“She will have her own opinions on who she would like to put on her square,” Jenn said.

In historical tradition, quilting was relegated to “women’s work,” while actually serving as a valuable outlet for women to socialize, build skills, and express their artistry.

“We’re trying to recreate that on a larger level with a lower skill set,” Edwards said. “It’s an all-ages textile art program, which we don’t have a lot of. This is one way we can get a 65-year-old woman who’s been sewing and quilting for 45 years, sitting beside a 6-year-old and his or her mom who just wanted to draw.”

After the participants create their designs, their squares will go to an experienced quilter for assembly. The completed quilt will travel through all the Dauphin County Library System libraries for the enjoyment and enlightenment of all residents.

The completed quilt might be framed and displayed with the participants’ names – meant for prominent display in every county Library.

“We want people to see their names,” said Edwards. “We want it to be displayed with a real sense of purpose and a celebration of the people who joined in.”

The project is meant to encourage engagement with The Library. Some participants and Library visitors who see the completed quilt might be interested in The Library’s extensive list of sewing, knitting, and crocheting classes and meet-ups. Some teach valuable life skills, such as how to repair clothing or build cosplay costumes.

“Is the quilt going to be an absolutely wonderful, put-it-in-the-Smithsonian work of art?” Edwards said. “No, but it will embody our community and our Library members. We’re hoping it will get more people interested, especially younger kids and teens, who might think, ‘I could see my work in The Library. I could show other people who I am creatively and artistically.’”

Quilting intersects with The Library and its mission at three junctures, Edwards said. There is the community hub – people gathering to share a passion and learn new skills and ideas. There is the culture, experienced from different perspectives by people of different ages and life experiences.

“It’s always nice to present The Library as more than just books,” said Edwards. “There is something here for you. You don’t need to be a good reader. You don’t need to want to be a reader to find something at The Library that you can be a part of. It’s a great experience for people who are just finding out about The Library or want to experience something different with The Library.”

Jenn said it’s awesome that the squares she and her daughter create will become part of a community work of art that travels the Library circuit.

“I’m excited once it’s done to get pictures with it and my daughter wherever it’s displayed,” she said. “That would be fun.”