Pristine quilt blocks crafted 100 years ago were discovered recently in an old trunk, which belonged to life-long Girard resident Mary Helen (Daniels) Arneson. She was born in 1921 and hadn't made a block so they must have been in the company of her mother Junia Cole Daniels. Junia was married to George who homesteaded the current Arneson place in 1908.
Girard Homemakers plan to create an authentic period quilt out of those blocks and place it in the Baue exhibit at the MonDak Heritage Center. Baues were also homesteaders in the Girard area. It is unknown what the purpose of the blocks might have been but the club is thankful that they were dated. They have been undisturbed since 1925 and remain in pristine condition.
Each block is signed by its seamstress, with many of those names unknown to current residents of the area. Some may not have lived in the Girard area. The club would like to gather brief information on each of those individuals to include with the quilt. Anyone having such information on Dorothy Elliott, Blanche Boltus, Phebe Kirkland, Mary Klute, Bessie Moore, Sadie Johnson, Sara Fletcher, Agnes Lloyd, Ina Richardson, Alvina Post, Iver L. Post, Pearl Forsyth, Rachel Mann, Agnes LaBonte, Ethel Moore, Anna Rabe, Ellen Bowden, Clytie Elliot, or Mrs. Maude Glenn is asked to please share. Information should include a maiden name, who they were married to, children, and where they lived, but any information would be appreciated.
Please contact Linda Simonsen at 406-798-3672, [email protected] or Becky Daniels at 406-798-3647, [email protected] with any information or questions you may have.
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