37th Annual Quilt Exhibition

In celebration of one of the most American of all art forms, Billings Farm & Museum will host its Annual Quilt Exhibition, from June 3 – July 23, featuring quilts made by Windsor County quilters.  

For 37 years, Billings Farm & Museum has played a significant role promoting and encouraging the quilting tradition in Windsor County. Still considered both a creative and utilitarian household craft, renewed interest in the tradition dovetails with the museum’s mission of celebrating Vermont’s rural culture.   

The restored Billings Farm Activity Barn will be transformed by a colorful display of artfully crafted quilts. The exhibition will include juried contemporary quilts made by Windsor County quilters and historical quilts from the museum’s collection. There will be a scavenger hunt to challenge the guests and quilting demonstrations on select days. Visitors can vote for their favorite large and small quilts to be selected for the People’s Choice Award. 

Quilts submitted to the exhibition are juried by quilting experts in the region who each select one Juror’s Award.

 Admission to Billings Farm & Museum’s 37th Annual Quilt Exhibition includes the Animal Barns, Vermont Farm Life Exhibits, the Interpretive Walking Trail and the 1890 Farm Manager’s House. The 1890 Farm Manager’s House features the creamery, the kitchen and in-home innovations that were considered state-of-the art for the time. Visitors can meet the farm’s cows, draft horses, sheep, goats, and chickens in the barns and scenic pastures and enjoy ice cream and snacks at the Farmhouse Café.  

Exhibition Juror Nola Forbes

Nola A. Forbes of St. Johnsbury, Vermont.  Nola has enjoyed a career as an educator of mathematics and computer programming. The inherent attention to detail, pattern identification and problem solving extend into her avocations.  

Practical geometry is practiced as an avid quilt maker. She has been a member of the Kirby Quilters since 1977; s a past President of Green Mountain Quilters Guild; volunteer and former Trustee for the annual Vermont Quilt Festival. She demonstrates traditional and contemporary techniques, has taught and judged for many quilt venues throughout Vermont.   She completed interviews for the national Quilters’ Save Our Stories (Q.S.O.S.) http://www.allianceforamericanquilts.org/qsos , an oral history project.  

As a seventh generation Vermonter, she also enjoys genealogical research. She is an active member in the Daughters of the American Revolution for the regional Saint John de Crevecoeur Chapter and for the state of Vermont. She is a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, through the Vermont Society.   She has a deep appreciation for the heritage that makers of early textiles and quilts have developed.

Love quilts? Become a Quilt Hall volunteer! Shifts available daily through July 10.

 Visiting safely Wearing a face mask is encouraged and very much appreciated in our indoor space. For updated information please visit billingsfarm.org/safety.     

Learn more about the 36th Annual Quilt Exhibition