August 6, 2020, marked the City of Stockbridge’s 100th year as a municipality. In anticipation of this special occasion, the Stockbridge Main Street staff brought together a group of gifted fiber artists, seamstresses, and quilters to create a special commemorative quilt. The Main Street staff also recruited Henry County native and nationally acclaimed master quilter, Mrs. Aisha Lumumba, to lead the group.
In late 2019, Stockbridge citizens were asked to submit fabric squares to the project. These squares were then embroidered with the names and the year that each person arrived in Stockbridge by local clothing designer, Mrs. Alcelia Ford. Once sewn together by the Centennial Quilt Committee members, these pieces will tell the story of Stockbridge’s residents through a beautiful community quilt.
The committee’s goal was to have the quilt completed in time for unveiling at the planned Centennial Gala on August 6th. However, Covid-19 precautions prevented the group from meeting. As a result, many of the committee members got busy making face masks for first responders, while others were able to still work on small parts of the quilt to keep the project going.
During the shelter in place restrictions, a surprising work of art was created by Ms. Cheryl Baugh, a Stockbridge resident and quilt committee member. Ms. Baugh used her down-time to fashion the Centennial Tribute, a crocheted piece that she designed from a photograph, without a pattern, and completely freehand. The piece depicts a train engine much like the ones that streamed through the heart of the historic downtown district and brought commerce to the Township of Stockbridge many years ago.
The Main Street staff wishes to thank the Centennial Quilt Committee and the 300+ residents who submitted fabric squares for the quilt. “We got to hear many stories about the Stockbridge residents who wanted to be a part of this project,” said Lisa Fareed, Stockbridge Main Street Program Coordinator. “This project is really exciting. We are creating a commemorative time capsule in the form of a beautiful community quilt. It will truly be a collaborative work of art.”
Once the Covid-19 precautions are relaxed the Committee will reconvene to complete the project. They are looking forward to unveiling and presenting the quilt to the citizens of Stockbridge.
