Beginning Veterans Day on Friday, the Museum of American History in Cabot will display one of its most unique and rare artifacts — a handmade quilt made by local women in an effort to support America’s war effort almost 100 years ago.
The quilt, which measures approximately 8 feet by 8 feet, has the names of more than 50 local World War I soldiers embroidered on it. During the war, raffle tickets were sold to raise money for the war. The winner of the raffle, Pledger Monk, won the quilt. Over the years, the quilt was handed down in the family.
Mrs. Pat Marshall, a longtime resident of Cabot, whose mother, Mary Monk, was instrumental in making the quilt, cared for the quilt for many years. Her father’s name, T.B. Monk, is one of the many names on the quilt.
At one time the quilt was in the possession of the Cabot Library and then the Lonoke County Museum. When Mike Polston, director of the Museum of American History, learned of the existence of the quilt sought to return it to Cabot.
The staff of the Lonoke County Museum was happy to see the quilt returned to the city, and Mrs. Marshall donated it to the Museum of American History.
The quilt will be on display until the end of the year. The museum, which is free and open to the public, is at 114 S. First St. and is open from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
