Visit Williamsburg
The Great American Birthday Quilt is carried to the Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center.
Visit Williamsburg blanketed Merchants Square in the heart of the Historic Triangle Saturday, April 11 at a ceremony to reveal The Great American Birthday Quilt, a nationwide art project crafted from hundreds of heartfelt quilt blocks submitted by Americans of all ages. The 500-foot-long quilt honors the nation’s 250th birthday with designs that celebrate the spirit, stories and shared heritage of our nation. Its creation has been a joint effort between Visit Williamsburg and Steve Prince, the Muscarelle Museum of Art’s director of engagement and distinguished artist in residence.
Williamsburg is about a 2.5-hour drive from Alexandria.
Gathered at the quilt reveal celebration were two children, June and Auden Butkus, who are descended from Betsy Ross and whom contributed their own quilt blocks. Additionally, families, quilting guilds, Girl and Boy Scouts, faith groups, students and military veterans were recognized for their participation in making the quilt.
The ceremony opened with a welcome message from Visit Williamsburg President and CEO, Edward Harris, followed by a fife and drum performance, remarks from Prince, a preview of The Great American Birthday Quilt video, a choir selection from the Historic First Baptist Church and readings of quilt letters and stories by contributors. The celebration concluded with a quilt walk from Merchants Square to the Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center, where the quilt will be on public display through the end of the year.
“As America approaches its 250th anniversary, there is no destination more fitting to honor this milestone and proudly display this quilt than the Historic Triangle,” said Harris. “When you see all 500 feet of the quilt together, you’ll realize it’s more than fabric, glue, and thread. Every quilt block represents someone who loves this country and wanted to be part of something bigger than themselves. It’s personal stories of what America means to them, told by people from diverse backgrounds and from every corner of our nation.”
“This quilt is a powerful metaphor and symbol of unity and creativity, especially in the face of this divisive moment we are in nationwide," added Prince. "This project has been a way for people from all 50 states to tell stories that remind us how beautiful, brilliant, unique, and sacred our nation is at its core."
The Great American Birthday Quilt is expected to draw quilters, history enthusiasts, families, and patriotic travelers to Williamsburg to see their quilt blocks and enjoy more America250, VA250, and Williamsburg250 commemorative events, entertainment, and educational experiences this year and next. The Historic Triangle, comprised of Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg, Virginia, is where America’s journey first took shape. Colonial Williamsburg, American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Jamestown Settlement, as well as Busch Gardens Williamsburg theme park are just a small sampling of the local attractions for visitors of all ages and interests to enjoy in the destination.
For more information about the Great American Birthday Quilt and to download the Williamsburg 250 Passport for discounts on everything from colonial reenactments and cultural exhibits to archeological digs, concerts, art festivals, and more, visit www.visitwilliamsburg.com.
