Quilt Historian and guest curator for the upcoming Treasures from the Trunk: Quilts of the Oregon Trail exhibit (September 23-December 24, 2011) Mary Bywater Cross visited last week to look at a few quilts and some objects from the Willamette Heritage Center collections.  Here are a few highlights from her visit.

The pattern of the quilt she is measuring in the photo to the left is known as “Wandering Foot.”  The pattern celebrates freespirited adventure and wanderlust, qualities important in the westward migration of families over the Oregon Trail.  It was not however,  she assures me, a quilt you wanted to get for a wedding present.

Detail of stitching on WHC Quilt (M3 1988-005-0001)