Citrus Belt Quilters Annual show "Continuing Our Heritage"

Redlands' Smiley Park will be decorated with 300 quilts May 16 when the Redlands Citrus Belt Quilters hold their annual show, titled "Continuing Our Heritage."

Four heritage homes, each hung with vintage quilts, will be open for touring from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The tour route begins in Smiley Park near the Lincoln Shrine. The McClure home at 24 Eureka St. is the first on the route. Originally a doctor's home, it has its original turn-of-the-century woodwork, said show chairwoman Janet Edmonds.

The Templeton house at 308 Grant St. was the home of the city's first constable and, despite many renovations, maintains its original farmhouse feel, Edmonds said. It has a new kitchen and painted roses on the office floor.

The 316 W. Fern Ave. residence of Jean Hyman is 120 years old and a designated Redlands Heritage Home. The owner, a longtime rug hooker, has lived in the house for 60 years. Her handmade rugs will be featured along with quilts made by her mother and grandmother.

She also displays an original article on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and a collection of rare stuffed bears.

The fourth house, at 756 Cajon St., is owned by Joan Benson. It was built in 1926 by Herman Westerbrook, who provided Redlands with water for the orange groves. It has been restored with special attention to its woodwork, Edmonds said.

The hundreds of quilts gathered by club members will hang in Smiley Park between the shrine and the A.K. Smiley Public Library.

Among the recent finds is a 1909 quilt bought at a yard sale for 10 cents.

"It was probably done by a young girl, all in red work and hand tied," Edmonds said. "Although it is badly stained, people don't know what they have when they dismiss grandma's old quilt as not worth anything."

Those familiar with quilts will recognize the level of handwork and the amount of love that young girls poured into such projects during the early days of this country, Edmonds said.

"Using old clothes cut into stars and squares, (the quilt) kept the family warm during cold winter nights," she said. "The family is actually a big part of what is in that quilt."

The wearable art of featured artist Marilyn Fromherz, of Calimesa, will be on display in the library's Assembly Room. She gives classes throughout the Inland area on embroidery and the embellishment of quilts and quilted clothing, such as vests and jackets.

A display representing the Home of the Brave project begun by member Don Beld will be hung in the park. Quilts have been fashioned for and sent to wives and families of soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

They are based on the Civil War quilts dispensed by the Sanitation Commission. One of only four remaining quilts of this type is hung in the Lincoln Shrine, which will be open during the quilt show.

Other community service projects also will be highlighted. Quilt supply vendors will be on hand in the nearby Contemporary Club.

Musical entertainment will be offered by the Sweet Adelines from 9 a.m. to noon, the Redlands 4th of July Band from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a high school jazz band from 1 to 4 p.m.

Visit http://www.citrusbeltquilters.org for more information.