Governors Quilt

Date1979-1980

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, Halifax

MediumCottons, silks, and synthetic materials

Dimensions122 1/4 in. x 98 1/4 in.

Credit LineGift of the Cutman Family in memory of Clara Elizabeth Cutman

Object number2026.609.2,A-C

DescriptionThis is a rectangular quilt made of appliqued and pieced motifs. The central motif depicts a map of the United States over a cross-shaped white backing fabric. Each of the states is sewn of a different fabric. There is a yellow, diamond-shaped block sewn above Ohio with an embroidered inscription, "Rosalyn Carter"; the block may be a napkin, as it has scalloped edges, a floral embroidered motif; and lace on one corner. The central motif is quilted with star-shaped stitching. The central motif is bordered with yellow squares pieced alongside floral stars embroidered with a state's abbreviation and its First Lady or Governor. Each star is made out of the corresponding fabric with the state in the central motif. The plain yellow squares in the border are stitched with four-pointed stars. The entire quilt top is bordered in a white cotton band, which is quilted with four-pointed stars. The quilt has batting, likely synthetic, and is backed in a yellow cotton.

The maker's embroidered signature, "Clara Cutman", is stitched in the bottom righthand corner of the central cross.

Quilt (A) is accompanied by B. a scrapbook containing letters received from the first families of each state and an accompanying fabric swatch and C. a box of textile remnants received from each state.Label TextThe U.S. Centennial in 1876 inspired a patriotic quilting craze- and the Bicentennial in 1976 was no different, sparking a range of commemorative quilts. Though completed in 1979-1980, Clara Ebersole Cutman's "Governor's Quilt" grew out of this resurgence. Cutman requested fabric from the first families of every state, arranging the textiles she received into a map of the United States. Overwhelmed with fabric, she ended up adding a border of floral squares, each for a different state. Though Cutman originally asked for fabric from a dress made by each First Lady, she received a variety of materials, cut from children's clothing, napkins, upholstery, and drapes.Inscription(s)[Border, from top to bottom]

Row 1 (L to R) NY Evangeline Carey; SD Mary Janklow; VT Barbara Snelling; MD Patricia Hughes; AZ Hattie Babbit; WY Casey Herschler; NC Carolyn Hunt; OK Donna Nigh

Row 2 (L to R) HI Jean Ariyoshi; WA Gov. Dixy Lee Ray; TN Honey Alexander; MA Jody King; PA Ginny Thornburgh; CA Gov. Brown; NH Irene Gallen; MI Helen Milliken

Row 3 (L to R) IN Beth Bowen; NV Kathy List; WI Joyce Dreyfus; KY Phyllis Brown; MO Theresa Teasdale; MS Elise Winters

Row 4 (L to R) CO Dorothy Lamm; FL Adele Graham

Row 5 (L to R) LA Elaine Edwards; NM Alice King

Row 6 (L to R) UT Norma Matheson; AR Hillary Rodham

Row 7 (L to R) KS Ramona Carlin; ND Grace Link

Row 8 (L to R) NJ Jean Byrne; DE Elise du Pont; OH Helen Rhodes; TX Rita Clements

Row 9 (L to R) VA Edwina Dalton; WV Sharon Rockefeller; ID Lola Evans; OR Dolores Atiyeh; CT Gov. Ella T. Grasso; MT Carol Judge; IL Jayne Thompson; ME Gov Brennan

Row 10 (L to R) RI Margherite Garrahy; GA Mary Beth Busbee; SC Ann Riley; AK Bella Hammond; IA Billie Ray; MN Gretchen Quie; AL Bobbie James; NB Ruth Thone

[On the central white cross]

The UNITED STATES of AMERICA

1980

Rosalyn Carter

IN GOD WE TRUST

Clara Cutman

[The abbreviated names of each state is stitched into the corresponding outline on the map of the United States]Provenance1979-1980, made by Clara Cutman [1930-2009] (Halifax, PA); 1980, passed by descent to Michael and Valerie Clay (Fairfield, VA); 2026, given to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)