Memorial Hall Museum’s “Laurel Leaves” quilt serves as the inspiration for the 2009 Sixth Biennial Old Deerfield Quilt Challenge sponsored by the Hands Across the Valley Quilters Guild. The red and green appliqué quilt was made by Betsy Rice Nims (1751-1852) of Charlemont and/or her daughters around 1840. “Laurel Leaves” is exhibited alongside quilts created recently by New England quilters participating in the challenge—all based on some aspect of the Nims quilt. The ever-popular and inspiring Old Deerfield Quilt Challenge provides a venue for today’s creative and skilled quilters, while celebrating favorites from Memorial Hall Museum’s extensive quilt collection.
