This stunning “princess feather” quilt – which may have changed its name from “prince’s feather” after the plume worn by the Prince of Wales when the colonies determined to thwart British rule – was crafted by Amanda Della Grigsby Patsy Compton around the turn of the 20th century. A warm cream-colored background is highlighted with buttery yellow and great “plumes” of red. Interspersed between the pinwheeled plumes are tiny sprigs of red strikingly contrasted atop their white-leaved stalks.
Around 1980 Sue Porter Longsworth donated both the quilt and the Grigsby House to Lyon College. The quilt remained at Lyon until it was acquired by the Old Independence Regional Museum, where we are delighted to share its history with you.
Pictured with the princess feather quilt is Sarah Drake, great-granddaughter of Ms. Compton. Ms. Drake visited OIRM for our Quilt Walk, which was planned to connect the museum with Main Street along 9th Avenue this past Saturday, December 10. Rain thwarted those plans, and the museum currently has Ms. Drake’s quilt, along with a dozen other fine examples of past craftsmanship, displayed throughout the large, open area of the Barnes Simmons Gallery. Come by and see not only these showcased quilts, but read their history.
