Historic Quilt To Be Showcased At Barbour County Fair

by Marija Ilic

This year's Barbour County Fair is set to host an extraordinary piece of local history at the quilt show sponsored by Mountain State Quilting. In a brand new category for Vintage Quilts, an intricate quilt completed in 1950 will take center stage, bringing with it a connection to more than a dozen families from the town of Junior.

The quilt, lovingly crafted 74 years ago, represents a labor of love by many local families, each contributing their hand-sewn names to the quilt’s vibrant squares. The names include well-known Barbour County families such as Price, Crandall, Shomo, Wamsley, Ware, Mace, Davis, Cooper, Glendening, Booth, Sturm, Gutshall, Spencer, Talbott, Montgomery, Fitzwater, Richards, and Lipscomb.

This quilt is not merely a collection of fabric and thread but a cherished heirloom that has stayed within the Lipscomb family for almost 75 years. Originally belonging to Justine Poe Lipscomb, the quilt was passed down to her daughter, Karen Lipscomb, who safeguarded it until her passing. This treasured artifact holds the memories of community, family ties, and a shared history.

The quilt's current custodian, the Lipscomb family, has made the decision to share this historic piece with the public in honor of their late relative, Lillian Lipscomb. Lillian, who passed away recently, was celebrated widely for her 103rd birthday, receiving over 2,500 cards from across the nation, with even state officials recognizing the milestone.