Brecksville Bicentennial Quilt Ready to Take Its Spot Around the City

This Saturday, the Western Reserve Quilters Anonymous officially dedicated the Brecksville Bicentennial Quilt to the city after hours of hard work. The quilt is covered in the names of local families who purchased squares in the commemorative item.  

The Western Reserve Quilters Anonymous is a local quilting group that has been around for more than 25 years, said Marge Priest, its founding member. Priest opened a quilt shop in Brecksville and started the group in 1985. Less than 10 people came to the first meeting, she said, but they decided to meet once a month. After awhile, the shop closed and the location changed, but the group remained.

“I have learned so much from all of these ladies,” Priest said during the group’s May meeting at the .

The 180-square-inch Bicentennial Quilt was made up of 200 blocks, said member Colleen Powers. The blocks were sold to benefit Brecksville’s bicentennial activities and were $20 each.

During Saturday's presentation, Mayor Jerry N. Hruby thanked the group for not only helping to raise money for the bicentennial, but also for creating a keepsake for future generations. 

And it was a strong volunteer effort that helped it all come together.

About 40 people worked on the quilt, Powers said during Saturday's presentation. Powers said during the group’s May meeting that she’s found the quilters to be an “amazing, giving group” of people. 

After the group was done with the squares, they took it to Karen Benke, owner of the Little Red Quilt House in Medina. Benke finished the quilt on a machine, donating her time for free. Benke said she didn’t see the donation as anything special; it was just a way to give back. She said the group still gave her a check, which she gave to local charities.

The quilt will now hang in the .