Mary Barton calls her work, “independent research, conservation and preservation.” She not
only collected quilts but also costumes and other textiles, as evidence in the process of dating
quilts.
Mary wrote a play “Aunt Mary’s Quilting Party” in 1968 for the Faculty Wives Club at Iowa State
University. Her quilt making included her “Heritage Quilt,” made in commemoration of our nation’
s bicentennial. It won a first prize ribbon at the Iowa State Fair, 6th place ribbon at the National
Bicentennial Quilt Exposition and Contest in Warren, Michigan, and more recently was selected
as one of the 20th Century’s 100 Best American Quilts.
Her fame began when she lectured at quilt conferences and set up a “Study Center” at the 1983
Heirloom to Heirloom Quilt Conference, Ames, Iowa, and at the 6th Continental Quilting
Congress, 1984. In addition to quilts, the center featured her collection of fabrics and
scrapbooks full of quilt patterns, articles and advertisements.
Her collection of quilts and other quilt related items was donated to the Iowa State Historical
Museum, the Living History Farms, Iowa State University and other Iowa organizations.
only collected quilts but also costumes and other textiles, as evidence in the process of dating
quilts.
Mary wrote a play “Aunt Mary’s Quilting Party” in 1968 for the Faculty Wives Club at Iowa State
University. Her quilt making included her “Heritage Quilt,” made in commemoration of our nation’
s bicentennial. It won a first prize ribbon at the Iowa State Fair, 6th place ribbon at the National
Bicentennial Quilt Exposition and Contest in Warren, Michigan, and more recently was selected
as one of the 20th Century’s 100 Best American Quilts.
Her fame began when she lectured at quilt conferences and set up a “Study Center” at the 1983
Heirloom to Heirloom Quilt Conference, Ames, Iowa, and at the 6th Continental Quilting
Congress, 1984. In addition to quilts, the center featured her collection of fabrics and
scrapbooks full of quilt patterns, articles and advertisements.
Her collection of quilts and other quilt related items was donated to the Iowa State Historical
Museum, the Living History Farms, Iowa State University and other Iowa organizations.
| Mary Alice Pemble Barton (1917—2003) |
Collector, donor of quilts, fabrics & periodicals;
playwright, award winning quilter. Inducted into The
Quilters Hall of Fame in 1984 at the Continental Quilting
Congress, Arlington, Virginia.
Research Associate: Pat Nickols
playwright, award winning quilter. Inducted into The
Quilters Hall of Fame in 1984 at the Continental Quilting
Congress, Arlington, Virginia.
Research Associate: Pat Nickols