History

1984 – January 1984 eleven women met at the home of Iona Andrea, which was the beginning of the Tall Pines Quilt Guild organization.  The first quilt made by the group was a queen size Split Rail Fence which was used as a guild fundraising project.

1985 – The first public education endeavor held by the Guild was “Quilt Day” on February 9, 1985.  Karen Bresenhan of Houston was on hand to evaluate and date 118 quilts owned by residents of the Huntsville area.  The winner of this showing was selected to be one of 28 quilts from across Texas displayed at the Texas Sesquicentennial Celebration, Texas State Capitol.

1986 – The Guild participated in the “Century of Quilting and Sharing” Exhibit at the Sam Houston Museum celebrating the 151^st birthday of Huntsville during July 1986 and in October 1986 the Guild hosted a lecture and workshop on Amish Quilts taught by Kathleen McCrady of Austin, Texas.

1987 – The Guild hosted an exhibit of “Great American Scrap Quilts” at the Gibbs-Powell House in February 1987 (funded in part by the Huntsville Arts Commission); and participated in a two-day workshop, lecture, reception and exhibit.  Roberta Horton (teacher, author and lecturer) of Berkeley, California led the workshop and lecture.  A showing of Mozelle McLeod’s quilts at First National Bank was held in conjunction with the Great American Scrap Quilt show.

      In honor of the Sesquicentennial, the Guild members made a Pictorial Quilt, which took high honors at the Walker County Fair, a Blue Ribbon at the Houston Livestock Show, and was displayed at the Houston Quilt Festival.

      The Guild made a quilt measuring 16 by 18 feet to be used as a legacy backdrop quilt for the play “The Quilters” produced by the Sam Houston State University Drama Department (In 1993 the quilt was loaned to the Orange, Texas Community Players for the Production of “The Quilters”.)

1988 – Construction was begun on a “Commemorative” quilt with proceeds dedicated to benefit the Walker County Historical Commission Gibbs Powell roofing project.

1989 – The Guild participated in the Sam Houston Folk Festival, held a “Hearts & Crafts” sale as a fundraiser, and sold raffle tickets for the Commemorative Quilt and a baby quilt at “Fair on the Square”.

1990 – A “Broken Dish” quilt was constructed in blues and white and raffle tickets sold as a fundraiser for the Walker County Historical Commission Gibbs Powell roofing project.

      Guild members participated in the Sam Houston Fold Festival, the City of Huntsville H.E.A.P. Program, joined in the City of Huntsville’s birthday celebration, and donated five quilts to the SAAFE House.

1991 – Large quilt blocks were constructed, mounted, and framed for donation to the HuntsvilleMemorialHospital to hang in the newly decorated birthing wing of the hospital.  Guild members participated in the City of Huntsville’s “Reflections of the Decade of the 80’s” and the Sam Houston Folk Festival.

1992 – The Guild started construction of a “Patriotic Quilt” with plans for completion by March 1993 as a fundraiser for the SamHoustonMuseum and participated in the Sam Houston Folk Festival.

1993 – The SamHoustonMuseum “Patriotic Quilt” was completed, raffle tickets sold, and drawing held March 1993.  TPQG members held a bazaar with proceeds to benefit the Guild.  Handmade dolls were donated to SAAFE House.  Guild members participated in the Sam Houston Fold Festival.

1994 – The Guild held a “Tenth Anniversary Celebration” with an exhibit and reception held at the Gibbs Powell Home.  Quilt made by Guild members for SAAFE House fund raising project.  “Stitch a Square for Sam” – Guild members assisted 4^th grade students from each of the five Huntsville elementary schools in making blocks and constructing quilts.  The quilts were displayed at the Katy and E. Don Walker Education Center, SamHoustonMuseum grounds.  Members participated in the Sam Houston Folk Festival.

1995 – The Guild sponsored the “Suzanne Marshall Quilt Show” at the SamHoustonMuseum with lectures and demonstrations by Suzanne Marshall.  Members participated in the “Art Fest” conducted at ManceParkMiddle School.  Donations of fabric and craft supplies were made to the AdultDaycareCenter.  Guild members participated in the Livingston Piecemakers Quilt Show and Sam Houston Folk Festival.

1996 – Guild members constructed “Nine Patch” quilts for the Huntsville Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and for Child Protective Services for their respective fundraising efforts.  “Sesquicentennial Quilt” made in honor of WalkerCounty’s birthday and presented to the Walker County Historical Commission.  Members participated in the Sam Houston Folk Festival.

1997 – Tall Pines Quilt Guild show was held at the SamHoustonMuseum (June 2-27).  “Scrapaholic Quilt” made by Guild members as a fundraiser with proceeds to benefit the Guild.  Participated at the Sam Houston Folk Festival.  Quilts were donated to “ABC Quilts”.

1998 – Members created a “Sunbonnet Sue & Overall Bill” quilt as a Guild fundraiser and sponsored “Celebration of Sunbonnet Sue’s 100^th Birthday”.  Participated at the Sam Houston Folk Festival and donated quilts to area nursing homes.

1999 – Guild held a boutique sale with income dedicated to the Guild.  Participated in the Sam Houston Folk Festival.  Constructed a “Half Log Cabin” quilt which was donated to the C.O.M.E.Center for use at their fundraising project.

2000 – Betty Grimes donated a “Lone Star” Quilt top be used as the Guild raffle quilt.  Guild members participated in the Sam Houston Folk Festival.  A quilt was donated to SAAFE House for their fundraising project.  The Quilted Hugs program was initiated with members donating crib size quilts for children in crisis.

2001 – Guild members constructed a “Build a House” quilt as a Guild fundraiser.  Participated in Sam Houston Folk Festival.  A quilt show and bazaar was held with proceeds dedicated to Guild funding.  Items were prepared for donation to approved groups and HUGS program continued.

2002 – Guild conducted the first “Airing of the Quilts” which was held in downtown Huntsville around the Walker County Courthouse and surrounding businesses with over 200 quilts displayed.  The Cabin on the Square, a gift and visitor center in the downtown area, was established in May with assistance from the Guild.  Participated in the Sam Houston Folk Festival.  Prepared various items for donation to approved groups and continued in HUGS program.

2003 – The second annual “Airing of the Quilts” was held in downtown Huntsville.  A “Pink Ribbon” quilt was constructed and raffle tickets sold with proceeds dedicated to Huntsville Hospital Mammogram Fund to benefit under-insured or non-insured women of WalkerCounty.  Participated in the Sam Houston Folk Festival and Cabin on the Square.  Items for charity were donated to approved groups and HUGS program continued.

2004 – Conducted the third annual “Airing of the Quilts”.  A quilt, “Wish Upon a Star” was constructed and raffle tickets sold as a Guild fundraiser.  Members participated in the Sam Houston Folk Festival and Cabin on the Square.  Education and assistance was provided to the Huntsville Boys and Girls Club and two quilts were completed by the group for display at the 2004 “Airing”.  Items for charity were donated to approved groups and HUGS program continued.  Replica of the 2003 “Pink Ribbon” quilt was donated to HuntsvilleMemorialHospital and hung in the HMH main entry hall.

2005 – Conducted the fourth annual “Airing of the Quilts”.  Members participated in the Sam Houston Folk Festival and Cabin on the Square.  Education and assistance was provided to the Huntsville Boys and Girls Club and two quilts were completed by the group for display at the 2005 Airing.  Items for charity were donated to approved groups and HUGS program continued.

2006 – The fifth annual “Airing of the Quilts” was held on the first Saturday of May featuring “The Supper Quilt” by Dr. Don Locke.  Members continued their participation in the Walker County Fair Association Quilt Show, the Sam Houston Folk Festival and the Cabin on the Square.  The Charity Bee expanded their work by supporting the Good Shepherd Mission, and continuing to supply HUGS to SAAFE House, Huntsville CPS, PregnancyCareCenter, and Hospitality House, and items to the local nursing homes.  The various bees (Bedias Bumble Bees, New Waverly Sew-N-Sews, Stitchin’ Hens and the Ladies of the LakeBee) helped with various charitable events.  The guild joined with the Wild Turkey Federation to help provide Thanksgiving dinners for families in need.

2007 – The sixth annual “Airing of the Quilts” was held on the first Saturday of May.  “Stitching in the Pines” featured Libby Lehman’s Threadplay.  Libby’s quilts were also featured in the Town Theater the day of the Airing.  Participation was continued in the Walker County Fair Association Quilt Show, Sam Houston Folk Festival and Cabin on the Square.  Donations were made to the Child Protective Service, Hospitality House, PregnancyCareCenter, SAAFE House, COMECenter, CommunityChildCareCenter, Headstart Program, Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter, and the Good Shepherd Mission.  In May 2007 the Guild awarded two $500 scholarships to graduating WalkerCounty seniors.

2008 – The “Airing of the Quilts” was held for the seventh consecutive year with Darlene Zimmerman as the featured quilter.  Darlene also conducted the workshops for “Stitching in the Pines”.  Participation continued in the Walker County Fair Association Quilt Show, and Cabin on the Square.  Donations were made to Child Protective Services, Hospitality House, PregnancyCareCenter, SAAFE House, COMECenter, CommunityChildCareCenter, Headstart Program, Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter, and the Good Shepherd Mission.  The Guild’s raffle quilt, “In the Pines”, was used for guild fundraising.  In May 2008 the Guild awarded two $750 scholarships to graduating seniors within the Tall Pines Quilt Guild membership area.

2009 – The eighth annual “Airing of the Quilts” was held on the first Saturday of May.  Carol Doak was the featured quilter and the teacher for “Stitching in the Pines.  Participation continued in the Walker County Fair Association Quilt Show, and Cabin on the Square.  Donations were made to Child Protective Services, Hospitality House, PregnancyCareCenter, SAAFE House, COMECenter, CommunityChildCareCenter, Headstart Program, Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter, and the Good Shepherd Mission.  In May 2009 the Guild awarded two $1000 scholarships to graduating seniors within the Tall Pines Quilt Guild membership area and work was begun on the 2010 Donation Quilt, “Pride of Texas”.