The wedding quilt made for Esther Jameson Newbert in 1856 holds a special place in the textile collection of the Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta.  Inspired by the care and skilled used in making this signature quilt, the Chapman-Hall House Stewardship Committee decided to adapt the design and reproduce the spirit of the quilt as their major 2017 fundraising project.

This past spring the committee invited local ladies to sew a square for the special project and personalize it by signing their name on the square and/or adding a verse.  The original quilt was made up of 33 squares; the 2017 version has 36 and measures 78-inch x 86-inch, just one inch in difference from Esther’s. 

The Cat’s Cradle patchwork design used by Esther’s friends and family was copied in white and green fabrics for the Chapman-Hall quilt. The sashing fabric strips between the squares are a soft yellow print. In addition to the names and verses now part of this beautiful new heirloom, there are five squares left blank for the winner of the quilt to personalize. 

Raffle tickets are now available for purchase any weekend at the Chapman-Hall House between noon and 4 p.m. or by contacting Natalie House at 563-8441.From time to time from a committee member will offer them for sale at a table on Main Street in Damariscotta. The Chapman-Hall House Stewardship Committee can also be contacted through the Lincoln County Historical Association web site at:  info@lincolncountyhistory.org.

The Chapman-Hall House is one of three historic sites under the care of the Lincoln County Historical Association.  This June, July and August, each of the LCHA historic sites will be offering a week-long summer program for children.  For complete details visit the LCHA website and click on Summer with the Past.  

The Lincoln County Historical Association is a nonprofit organization that provides stewardship for the 1754 Chapman-Hall House, the 1761 Pownalborough Courthouse in Dresden, and the 1811 Old Jail and Museum in Wiscasset.  For more information about the Lincoln County Historical Association, visit www.lincolncountyhistory.com .