Next Graves Lecture Tells Story Of Unique Wyoming Quilt

      The second program in the Fall 2021 Graves Lecture Series at Chadron State is tonight and offers 3 presenters offering different takes on a unique quilt made by a Wyoming woman over 80 years ago.

       Leading off A Stitch in Time: 1938 Air Mail Quilt will be CSC College Relations Marketing Coordinator Tena Cook, whose grandmother created the quilt that inspired tonight’s program.

       The federal government proclaimed May 15-20 as National Air Mail Week to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the start of air mail service. 

      Cook’s grandmother, part of a Post Office family, created a special quilt to mark the occasion. She designed, sewed, and embroidered the quilt – which features patterns on postmarks from all of the-then 48 states. 

       The quilt served as the backdrop for Wyoming’s National Air Mail Week Celebration. 

       Cook’s portion of the program will be followed by Family, and Consumer Sciences Professor Dr Kim Madsen, who will talk about handcrafted textiles, and finally Social Science Associate Professor Dr Dave Nesheim on the historical context of air mail.

      The Graves lecture begins at 7:00 in the Chicoine Atrium of the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center. It’s free and open to the public.