Mount Pulaski Historical Society shows off fundraiser quilt

[March 15, 2012]  MOUNT PULASKI -- The Mount Pulaski Township Historical Society's first fundraiser of the year is a colorful quilt that Maxine Downing, right and Dolly Buckles, left worked on together in the museum, using an 1800s quilt rack that is used for display otherwise.

The quilt's design uses an old "Broken Star" fabric pattern that Wally Kautz donated to the museum. The pattern had belonged to Kautz's grandmother.

The ladies stitched and stitched -- over 200 hours -- using lots of cotton filler backing for each design, complete with a bright-green cotton border. The result is a beautiful, cozy full-bed quilt cover.

Raffle tickets for the quilt will soon go on sale at $1 each, or six for $5.

After a meeting of the historical society, the quilt was whisked away for safe-keeping elsewhere.

The Mount Pulaski Museum on the south side of the square is now open from March through November. Hours are noon-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The two-building, two-story museum is full of family, business, school and music information and photos. There is also an Abraham Lincoln section, material on a host of famous Mount Pulaski happenings, and a military section showing many men's and women's military uniforms from the Civil War to the present, including photos and information on area soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. In addition, there is a genealogical section, including many family biographical treatises as well as all the published town and county history books.

The museum has a chairlift. There are no entrance fees, but a donation box is available.

Contact information for officers of the Mount Pulaski Township Historical Society:

• Sue Schaffenacker, president, 792-5693

• Joyce Maxheimer, secretary, 792-5723

[Text from file received from Phil Bertoni]