A trip to the American Folk Art Museum was high on my list of priorities whilst in NYC, and having devoted a day to view the quilts at both the American Folk Art Museum and the Lincoln Square Branch of the Museum, I am happy to tell you I was not disappointed.
![]() |
American Folk Art Museum ~ Lincoln Branch
Star of Bethlehem with Satellite Stars Quilt
Leola Pettway (b. 1929)
Boykin, Alabama
1991
Cotton and Synthetics
|
My day started at the Lincoln Square Branch where at present the quilts exhibited are all star themed. The exhibition is called Super Stars. Stars are a beloved and enduring motif in American quilts, appearing in pieced bed covers as early as the 18th century and are still popular with quilt artists today.
From the Lincoln Square Branch was a short trip by subway to the American Folk Art Museum on 53rd Street. Once again, if you are ever in NYC, you will want to stop by here to view the quilts.
![]() |
American Folk Art Museum ~ Lincoln center
Le Moyne Star Variation Quilt
Lucinda Toomer
Georgia 1981
Cotton and Synthetics
|
What I loved most about the quilts exhibited was the bold use of color as well as the quilt makers' use of a wide variety of fabric type: cotton, silk, synthetic ~ whatever fabric was available. My personal favorite quilt was the Georgetown Circle Quilt:
![]() |
American Folk Art Museum
Georgetown Circle Quilt
Artist unidentified
Kentucky USA 1900 - 1920
Gift of Shelly Zegart
|
![]() |
American Folk Art Museum
Stars Quilt
Artist unidentified
New York
Cotton 1880
|
The Exhibition is entitled Quilts: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum and highlights historic as well as contemporary masterpieces all in a well preserved condition and of the most exceptional workmanship.
![]() |
American Folk Art Museum ~ Lincoln Branch
Sara Maartz
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
1872
Cotton
|
![]() |
American Folk Art Museum ~ Lincoln Branch
Sara Maartz
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 1872
Cotton
|
![]() |
Hummingbirds Quilt
Artist unidentified
Indiana
1920-1930
|
I also had a wonderful time taking pictures of the quilts and have tried to carefully document all the information that goes along with each quilt.
American Folk Art Museum
Golden Wedding Ring Quilt
Artist unidentified
United States
1934 - 1940
Cotton
Gift of Robert Bishop
American Folk Art Museum - Lincoln center
Artist unidentified
Possibly Pennsylvania
1930 - 1950
Cotton and blends
American Folk Art Museum
Double Wedding Ring Quilt
Susie Bontrager
Yoder, Kansas
1935 - 1945
Cotton and Synthetics
Edited to add: All of the above quilts and many more can also be seen in this fantastic historical book:Double Wedding Ring Quilt
Susie Bontrager
Yoder, Kansas
1935 - 1945
Cotton and Synthetics
Rita