A beautiful yellow house built in 1902 sits behind shade trees located at 926 South Washington Street on the south side of Marion’s downtown area. The place is known to some as the Marie Webster Home and to others as The Quilters Hall of Fame.
Marie Webster was a quilt designer and maker of quilt patterns, some of which may be purchased today at the home. Mrs. Webster also wrote a book entitled Quilts, Their Story, and How to Make Them, (1915). She was an early entrepreneur and sold her quilt patterns through the mail all over the United States. Because of her beautiful works and design talents, the home has become the Marie Webster Home, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, and in 1993 was designated a National Historic Landmark. It was recently recognized as the largest quilt museum in Indiana.*
Today, the Marie Webster Home holds some of her original quilts, and regularly features works from other quilters. The museum changes the displays several times throughout the year. Each display offers a small description about the piece including the designer, quilter, whether the piece was quilted by hand or machine, and the story behind the design, if there is one.
Additionally, there is a small gift shop inside the home where visitors may purchase various things from gifts to books and magazines, and fabric. Monies raised keeps the home alive and vibrant. The organization holds a “Celebration” each year. Celebration attendees may participate in making the Quilt of Valor, sewing a patriotic quilt block. The blocks are sewn together to make a quilt and given to servicemen and women.
You may join the Marie Webster Quilt Guild, become a volunteer, or donate. There is always ‘sew’ much to see and learn. While you visit the beautiful home, don’t forget to take a stroll behind it to see the garden and memorial bricks.
Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm, with a general admission rate of $4.00 per person.
Submitted by:
Rachel Creech
Board Member
Main Street Marion