Adopt an Artifact
Our Newest Artifact: Historical Quilts
Join us in adopting our third Adopt an Artifact—or, in this case, artifacts: seven quilts made between 1832 and the 1880s by Washington County residents from Hagerstown, Brownsville, Funkstown, and St. James! Donate here: https://gofund.me/891e9196
The Washington County Historical Society textile collection contains nearly 80 quilts and quilted artifacts. Seven of these quilts still require archival, acid-free boxes and tissue paper for safe storage.
The cost of this Adopt an Artifact is $750.00. This amount will allow us to purchase seven acid-free textile boxes and a roll of unbuffered, acid-free tissue paper. Your monetary donation will directly support these artifacts!
Q013, ca. 1845, Barber Family, Hagerstown.
Explore our Historical Quilts!
Please hover your mouse over the images to learn more about our seven adoptable quilts.
Q074, ca. 1880s, Crazy quilt with ribbon fringe.
Q033, ca. 1832, Burkhart Family Leitersburg.
Q008, ca. 1880s, Crazy quilt on glazed red cotton backing.
Q014, ca. 1847-60, Carson Family, Funkstown.
Q005, ca. 1870, Wagaman Family.
Q006, ca. 1849, Castle Family, Brownsville.
From the Curator: Adopt an Artifact Updates
I am delighted to share several updates with you regarding our first two Adopt an Artifact items, Linda Wert’s The Old Hager Mill painting and the Middlekauff violin.
Linda Wert’s painting, The Old Hager Mill ca. 1861-62, is now in the care of art conservator Nancy R. Pollak of Art Care Associates. Pollak, who has previously treated WCHS artwork, has provided a treatment proposal for The Old Hager Mill. Treatment will begin in August, with an estimated completion by October 2024. Thank you to the fourteen individuals who adopted Linda Wert’s historic painting; the entire $850 raised will be used for the restoration work.
The Middlekauff violin, our second Adopt an Artifact, has been fully adopted! Seven individuals helped meet our fundraising goal, allowing us to seek a professional assessment of the violin to determine its restoration needs, along with repair and cleaning. The Middlekauff violin, brought to Washington County by German immigrants, passed from Joseph M. Middlekauff (1836-1909) to his granddaughter, Cora B. (Middlekauff) Welty (1888-1979), who donated it to the WCHS in 1970. We are thrilled to move forward in bringing this beautiful instrument back to life.
