Quilt expert gives Hayes' program Sunday

FREMONT -- In conjunction with its exhibit "Patterns from the Past: Quilts of Northern Ohio," the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center makes it possible for anyone with a vintage quilt to learn more about it. Professional quilt dealer Joseph Sarah discusses "Uncovering Your Quilt's History" at a free lecture from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, in the Hayes Museum auditorium.

Sarah began collecting quilts in the mid-1970s. The bulk of his collection is Amish and Mennonite quilts. Sarah gained an appreciation for this type of quilt during the 19 years he lived and worked on a Mennonite farm in Goshen, Ind.

Eventually his personal collection became so large that he decided to downsize. Sarah began to limit his collecting to the fine-quality quilts, selling some of his lesser-quality pieces to fund his purchases. He soon found himself buying and selling quilts for other people. That led to the establishment of his business American Textiles, located in Columbus. He now sells to quilt collectors around the world. Among his more famous clients are Ardis and Robert James, whose collection of 950 quilts is the cornerstone of the International Quilt Study Center and Museum at the University of Nebraska.

With more than 30 years of collecting and selling quilts to his credit, Sarah has become an expert at determining the age, origin, and value of quilts by studying their fabrics, patterns, techniques, and conditions. He graciously offers to assess quilts brought to the lecture by attendees. (His determinations are not appraisals. They merely are assessments of general value).

Sarah's lecture is the third in a series of four highlighting quilting. All lectures take place Sunday afternoon and are free of charge. Those attending can take advantage of their visit to the Hayes Presidential Center to view "Patterns from the Past: Quilts of Northern Ohio." The exhibit showcases 30 quilts made in the 19th century by Northern Ohio women. The quilts are displayed in both the Hayes Museum and Hayes Home. A combination ticket priced at $10.50/adults, $9.50/senior citizens and $4/children ages six to 12 gains entry to view all of the quilts. Sunday hours for the museum and Hayes Home are noon-5 p.m. Tours of the home are guide led and last 45 minutes. Museum tours are self-guided. Please allow a minimum of an hour to tour the museum.

The final quilt lecture of the series takes place Oct. 26 and features Gretchen Schultz of the Quilt Foundry in Maumee. Schultz shares her knowledge of antique sewing tools.

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center is located at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues, Fremont. The facility is affiliated with the Ohio Historical Society. Check the Hayes Presidential Center website www.rbhayes .org for a complete list of year-round special events.