The Cashiers Historical Society recently held the Airing of the Quilts, a three-day event honoring an annual springtime mountain tradition.
“The Airing of the Quilts is a traditional rite of spring in the mountains,” said Sandi Rogers, Site Manager; Education and Events Coordinator at CHS. “After a long winter, the warmer weather of the spring gave the women a chance to freshen up and air their quilts for next winter.”
The CHS campus is located on the historic Zachary Tolbert Grounds.
Quilts sewn by The Cashiers Quilters were on display throughout CHS’ campus and members acted as hostesses during the 3-day event to lend their support.
Airing of the Quilts also included outdoor games and artistic activities. The CHS campus is located on the historic Zachary Tolbert Grounds and includes 5+ acres of wooded trails and a few historic structures.
Families created works of art during CHS’ Airing of the Quilts.
Despite so much to explore, the quilts were the stars of the event.
“Quilts came from many different sources,” said Rogers. “Cashiers has a very dedicated group of quilters that shared their quilts [The Cashiers Quilters]. Others belonged to CHS, such as the Tolbert quilt made from Civil War and the Spanish American war uniforms. Some quilts were shared by local residents and several of the summer residents loaned their quilts. One quilt was a topper made by an emancipated slave.”
Quilts were strewn throughout the CHS campus during Airing of the Quilts.
CHS will raffle off a special quilt made by The Cashiers Quilters representing the 50 states at this year’s Village Heritage Award on Sept. 8. Rogers said members of the group put in over 500 hours of work into its creation and is truly a work of art.
A quilt representing the 50 states will be raffled off in September.
Rogers said next year’s Airing of the Quilts will be scheduled June 10-11.
Some of the squares in the quilt to be raffled include over 150 pieces of fabric.
“I am excited about the interest already for next year,” she said. “If anyone has a quilt they would like to share, call the office, I have already started a list. Remember Quilts tell a story, so all are invited to share theirs.”
A family shows off their masterpieces at the Cashiers Historical Society.
For more information about the Cashiers Historical Society click HERE or call 828.743.7710.
Article and photos by Brian O’Shea
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