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Selections from the Permanent Collection

On view through December 31, 2025

In the 38 years since its founding, the New England Quilt Museum’s permanent collection has grown to nearly 450 quilts. Collections Manager, Laura Lane, has dedicated two galleries to some of our finest and most beloved quilts, including several examples of early nineteenth century quilts from New England and New York. Many of these were treasured and passed along to later generations of the quiltmakers’ families until they were gifted to the NEQM along with their stories.

On view for the very first time is the most recent addition to the collection, Carol Anne Grotrian’s Boston High Lights (NEQM 2025.05), which was a gift of the artist. Also included is the very first quilt accessioned to the NEQM collection— Nancy Halpern’s Archipelago (NEQM 1983.01). It was commissioned by the New England Quilters Guild, which founded the Museum in 1987.

Lemoyne Star, circa 1830 - Member of the Cook Borden Family, Fall River, MA

Archipelago, 1983 - Nancy Halpern, Natick, MA

Star with Chintz Border, circa 1840 - Maker Unknown, collected in New Hampshire

Composition, 1986 - Michael James, Lincoln, NE

(Detail) Lemoyne Star Wedding Quilt, 1865 inscribed - Penelope Carpenter Stanley, New York