Last updated: April 16, 2021
Place
Quilt Trail
NPS
Quick Facts
Amenities
10 listed
Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information - Maps Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Restroom - Accessible, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Wheelchair Accessible
The Quilt Tour is a self-guided auto tour of the colorful, painted quilt blocks in Stewart County, Tennessee. One of the blocks is featured on the side of the Mission-66 Visitor Center within Fort Donelson NB. Many of the other 90 quilt blocks are found on businesses, churches, and private homes. It took nearly five years for a few volunteers and history enthusiasts to create and hang these beautiful pieces of art.
The quilt trail was inspired by local artist Carolyn Walter Darke, who owned her own archtectural rendering business in Atlanta, and returned to her hometown. She was inspired by her own family's story, which was intertwined in the battle of Fort Donelson. More research led Darke and fellow art lover Betsy Tumelson to highight how Americans remembered the Civil War, how quilts commemorate the veterans who served, and how art and history unite to tell a story.
Quilting is one of the oldest forms of American folk art. In the 19th century, women and young girls knew how to piece quilt blocks. Quilts were not really artwork, they were utilitarian, offering comfort and warmth for families. As the war began, quilts were taken by Confederate soldiers to training camps. Quilting provided a way to support the war effort too. Groups of women made quilts to raffle off as fundraisers or sewed soldier's cot quilts to cover coffins of deceased veterans (one may be found in the historic Dover Hotel). Newspaper journalists and sketch artists recorded the stories and images of thousands of Confederate soldiers, now prisoners-of-war at Fort Donelson, who wrapped themselves in homemade quilts and blankets to await their trip to Northern prisons.
This auto tour consists of four separate driving tours. Some of the tour can take you approximately 25 -miles outside of the city of Dover. Plan for at least three-four hours to view all blocks. Don't be disappointed if some quilt blocks have been moved; it's entirely a voluntary agreement to display the quilt block for the visiting public.
NPGallery Asset Detail (nps.gov)
The quilt trail was inspired by local artist Carolyn Walter Darke, who owned her own archtectural rendering business in Atlanta, and returned to her hometown. She was inspired by her own family's story, which was intertwined in the battle of Fort Donelson. More research led Darke and fellow art lover Betsy Tumelson to highight how Americans remembered the Civil War, how quilts commemorate the veterans who served, and how art and history unite to tell a story.
Quilting is one of the oldest forms of American folk art. In the 19th century, women and young girls knew how to piece quilt blocks. Quilts were not really artwork, they were utilitarian, offering comfort and warmth for families. As the war began, quilts were taken by Confederate soldiers to training camps. Quilting provided a way to support the war effort too. Groups of women made quilts to raffle off as fundraisers or sewed soldier's cot quilts to cover coffins of deceased veterans (one may be found in the historic Dover Hotel). Newspaper journalists and sketch artists recorded the stories and images of thousands of Confederate soldiers, now prisoners-of-war at Fort Donelson, who wrapped themselves in homemade quilts and blankets to await their trip to Northern prisons.
This auto tour consists of four separate driving tours. Some of the tour can take you approximately 25 -miles outside of the city of Dover. Plan for at least three-four hours to view all blocks. Don't be disappointed if some quilt blocks have been moved; it's entirely a voluntary agreement to display the quilt block for the visiting public.
NPGallery Asset Detail (nps.gov)