19th Century Quilts

Wylie House Museum's quilt collection is particularly strong in quilts that share our 19th century period of interpretation. The Andrew and Margaret Wylie family lived in the house from its construction in 1835 until Margaret's death in 1859. The house then passed into the care of the Theophilus and Rebecca Wylie family, who lived there until Rebecca's death in 1913. 

We know that both Wylie families would have owned and created a number of quilts. It was a practical household object, and a social and creative expression for women in the 19th and 20th centuries. Four quilts came to the museum through a Wylie family descendant and were likely made by Wylie women. Rebecca Wylie is the confirmed creator of a crazy quilt, a special quilt in excellent condition. Below is a selection of quilts that span the period of time in which Wylie House was occupied by the two Wylie families.