Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum to Open September 15, 2012

CARROLLTON, GA. – West Georgia’s newest tourist attraction will pay tribute to one of the area’s oldest and most respected organizations when the museum located at 306 Bradley Street opens its doors to the public at 10 am Saturday, September 15, 2012.

The museum’s debut exhibit, “Celebrating 25 Years” will feature quilts made by members of the West Georgia Quilt Guild, whose membership over its history has embraced quilters from Carroll, Haralson, Heard and Meriwether Counties. An annual Guild project is the February quilt exhibit at the Neva Lomason Library.

“No need to wait for 2013 for your next quilt fix. The Museum show is going to be fabulous!” said Museum Board of Directors President Marilyn Osterkamp.

“Carroll County and the City of Carrollton have been so helpful in getting the Museum off the ground; we thought it only fitting to showcase the talents of local quilters. Future exhibits will feature quilts from other guilds around the State.”

The museum, scheduled to be permanently housed in the red brick warehouse adjacent to 306 Bradley Street, occupies a 20′ by 24′ space adequate to display 20 quilts.

“Until we are in our permanent facility, we are limited to exhibiting only the quilting aspects of Georgia’s storied textile industry. As plans for the permanent facility materialize, we look forward to showcasing other equally important aspects of the history of the textile industry in all of the Southeastern States,” Mrs. Osterkamp added.

Long range plans for the museum include extensive interpretive exhibits, classrooms and a gift shop. The opening of the museum coincides with the development of the Textile Heritage Trail, a multi county effort to increase awareness of the significant role textiles played in the economy and culture of West Georgia.

The brick building housing the museum is the site of a former textile mill, as are the Lawler Lofts also on Bradley Street. One of five street side kiosks designating significant Textile Heritage Trail sites is located in the museum parking lot.

Following official opening ceremonies Saturday, September 15 the museum will observe regular hours Thursdays and Fridays 12 noon to 6 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 4 pm beginning Thursday, September 20, 2012.

Individual admission $3.00. For group rates, a museum membership application and other information visit the web site: info@southeasternquilt.com.

(Photo by Southeasternquiltmuseum.com)