Antique Quilt Finds A Home At Pittsfield Historical Society

Cedric Dustin and Diane Mather holding a quilt made by or for the

Congregational Church in 1883.

Mrs. Teresa Smith recently donated a quilt to the Pittsfield Historical Society made in 1883 by or for the Congregational Church. Diane Mather arranged to have it presented to President Cedric Dustin on Old Home Day. Each piece of the quilt has a name or names on it, most of which are highly recognizable by the Society's historian as community leaders of the time. Sometime after it was made, it came into the possession of Anna (Berry) Smith. It was passed through several generations and finally to Lawrence Charles "Chuck" Smith. It was his wife Teresa who donated the quilt to the Society.

Many believe that it was made as part of the church's bicentennial celebration, which makes sense since the building of the church was begun about 1783. However, according to church records, in 1879 it celebrated its 90th Anniversary, making 1889 its 100th anniversary.

In 1883 the church was raising money for a new parsonage. It seems likely that the quilt was part of this effort.