current exhibition

New & Noteworthy

The Hopkins Family Quilt in Context

On view through July 19, 2009

A fishing boat at sea, a well-furnished home, musical instruments. Elizabeth Hopkins choose these images to represent her family's life in Port Jefferson, New York, in the mid-1800s. This recent DAM acquisition and nine other noteworthy quilts from the permanent collection illustrate themes, patterns, and techniques characteristic of the mid decades of the 19th century.   

An elaborate cut-chintz appliqué bridal quilt and a simple pieced signature quilt both served as reminders of family and friends. A highly unusual embroidered quilt mirrors fashionable Victorian needlework. A patriotic flag quilt reflects pride in the growing nation. Appliqué quilts display popular floral and feather motifs in red, white, and green.

Made in varying parts of the United States during a period of Westward expansion and prelude to Civil War, most of these quilts either traveled to Denver with their owners or descended through family connections to a local resident.