Century-old Quilt With Rich History Returns Home

NORTH ENGLISH – A rare and historic "Name Quilt" has been donated to the English Valleys History Center on Main after nearly a century of possession in the Thomas Family. Over the years the quilt had traveled through Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming and has finally landed back in North English. Direct descendants of the Thomas Family met and determined the quilt belonged in North English. On Saturday, February 3, 2024, Danny and Kris Thomas traveled from Humeston, Iowa, to bring the quilt home. The quilt features a total of 672 names of North English area residents. The population of the town in 1900 was 683 residents. The quilt was originally organized, sponsored, made by the Dorcas Circle, a women's group affiliated with the Christian Church in town. According to the North English Record newspaper, the quilt was sold at the Annual Bazaar of the Dorcas Society on November 25, 1925, at 2:00 PM as a fundraiser for their local and mission work. It sold for $80.00. The English Valleys History Center is further researching and seeking additional information or stories on the quilt and the Dorcas Circle of North English from descendants of those early families. Thanks to the Thomas Family for sharing this historic work with the English Valleys History Center and community!