The 9-11 Exhibit

Each summer I look forward quite eagerly to the Good Time Quilters' quilt show in Circleville. It is a long-established guild and their show is both well-run and well-attended. Since it has been in this newest location at Ohio Christian University, the show is even better than ever as the added spaciousness and ample parking are definite improvements.

Before I share all the wonderful quilts and vendors at this year's show - which is going on now, I want to share a special exhibit that is running in a nearby building in conjunction with the quilt show.

The 9-11 WTC Memorial Quilt Project filled one entire building with its 300 quilts and panels made by quilters all around the world to memorialize those who perished in the greatest tragedy in recent memory - the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. The sign indicates that there are 300 quilts and 7500 quilt squares - and let me tell you, after seeing this I have difficulty imagining the planning and executing of this tribute and then seeing it through to completion and then touring it around the country. What a great effort from so many!

Walking through this maze of red, white and blue quilts all made with stars and patriotic fabrics, becomes overwhelming after awhile. Patriotic music plays in the background interspersed with sound bites of news reports and survivor's accounts. Upon signing in to the exhibit, guests are offered both a plastic glove to use if one wants to touch a quilt, and a tissue for the inevitable tears.

The lobby of the theater building was full-to-brimming with the displays, and an adjoining music room contained even more. After seeing all these quilts, visitors move into the actual auditorium to see hundreds more! I tell you, this is simply the most impressive display I have ever seen - a monumental accomplishment! Not only are more quilts hanging on the stage, but having run out of room for the hangers, the remainder are draped over the auditorium seats.

Each block of each quilt included the name of someone who died in the attacks, and the maker of the block. All of this information is cataloged and each quilt is numbered. The entire project is huge, but very well organized and managed. There is even color-coding for distinguishing those who died in the Twin Towers, those who died at the Pentagon, those who died on the planes, and those who died in the rescue efforts. It is a massive display with hours upon hours of work; the size and scope is staggering.

So many details can be learned, and I did not absorb even a smidgen; here are a few tidbits: the panels (two  of several shown below) at the front of the stage are all tributes to each rescue group that responded on 9-11 - firefighters, police, military branches, and so on - even the recovery dogs have a quilt.

One quilt was quilted with the words from God Bless America, which I would never have noticed had it not been pointed out. That quilt is shown below. One final tidbit - blocks came from all 50 states and many countries around the world - it is truly a global effort.

The project began immediately after the attacks. According to literature provided, Amy Sue Leasure, an avid quilter, mother and police dispatcher from Arizona decided to create quilts dedicated to victims of the attacks. She got the ball rolling by asking for donations of 12-inch star blocks in red, white and blue. Her intention was to have a block for every victim. Ms. Leasure did not live long enough to see her dream come to fruition, as she died of cancer in 2002. Others stepped in, though, and the first exhibit of the quilts was on the third anniversary of the attacks.

I took many pictures, and I still don't do justice to the awesomeness of this exhibit. If you are planning a quilt show, try to get a group in your area to bring this exhibit to you. The group has a Facebook page with all the pertinent information. I heard that the local fire department assisted in setting up all the displays - hanging the quilts, etc. Can you imagine the devotion to this that these volunteers have?!

I hope I have conveyed to you how amazing this exhibit is. I am so glad I took my time while here to read names and sentiments. It is quite moving and thought-provoking. I am sure it would take many more visits to actually absorb it all.

This last picture contains all the catalogued data on each block. This further emphasizes the massiveness of this endeavor. The current president and keeper of the exhibit is Beverly Kuemin of Niles, Michigan. She can be reached through the FB page.

Happy Quilting, Friends!