Pink Granite Grange Quilt, 1928

As Consulting Curator to the Haverhill Historical Society and as part of the Collections Care initiative, Collections Intern, Ariel Myers of Plymouth State University and I recently examined a quilt from North Haverhill, NH. Completed c. 1928, it is an autograph quilt from the Pink Granite Grange, founded in 1894. Despite the fact that some portions are damaged, it is nonetheless a significant reminder of local gatherings and pride in achievement. As communities all across the country celebrate with county and town fairs over the next few months, looking at historic and contemporary examples of quilting is especially rewarding.

This grange quilt features the "autographs"  of both men and women and couples. (A list of names is available in the HHS.) Centrally located within a square of pink and red cherries, the inscription notes, with an almost palpable pride, "Pink Granite Grange, North Haverhill, NH. Founded 1894." The quilt reveals who pieced the quilt and who wrote the autographs for participants, Max Robinson. Further, there are welcomes and greetings from the several committees including the Agriculture Committee and the Home and Community Welfare Committee. While the layout of the squares is deceptively simple, the use of visually strong printed cotton patterns of the 1920s is what makes the quilt so visually compelling. The graphic strength of the black and white prints- florals, gingham, stripes - juxtaposed with the pale lavenders, pinks, and blues harmonize to create an attractive whole, appealing to the contemporary eye.

Several other quilts, including a "crazy quilt" survive in the HHS collection and will be the subject of future posts.

If you are interested in contemporary quilts, don't forget to visit the North Haverhill Fair and the Stoddard Building for excellent examples by 4H youth this week.


Kimberly Alexander, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire
Ariel Myers, Plymouth State University

All images courtesy the Haverhill Historical Society Museum

Gift of the Pink Granite Grange