WOODSTOCK— Billings Farm & Museum, gateway to Vermont’s rural heritage, will host its 34th Annual Quilt Exhibition online and onsite from July 18 through August 23, featuring quilts made by Windsor County quilters. The Farm & Museum is open Thursdays through Mondays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
For over three decades, Billings Farm & Museum has played a significant role promoting and encouraging the quilting tradition in Windsor County. Still considered both a creative and utilitarian household craft, renewed interest in the tradition dovetails with the museum’s mission of celebrating Vermont’s rural culture.
Juried contemporary quilts made by local quilters and historical quilts from the museum’s collection will be on display. Onsite guests will view the colorful array of exquisite quilts and meet the quilters on hand to discuss their work. Take a quilt-themed Story Walk and test your eagle eyes with their Quilt Exhibition Scavenger Hunt. Explore other quilting genres through interpretive displays on site and online.
Challenge quilts crafted by the Delectable Mountain Quilt Guild from the Bethel, Vermont area will also be exhibited. A quilt challenge requires specific design and construction rules agreed upon by guild members with the goal of improving their quilting skills. This year’s challenge was to create a quilted placemat, and the challenge quilt display will reflect that theme with a playfully set table.
Their first Virtual Quilt Exhibition, found at billingsfarm.org/quilt-exhibition beginning July 20, will feature in-depth conversations with the quilters about their quilt-making process and a behind-the-scenes look at the exhibition and jurying process. View quilting demonstrations and join them for Thursday Threads Online, a weekly series featuring fiber arts and textile-related crafts, beginning on July 23.
Whether visiting onsite or online, guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite quilt to receive the People’s Choice Award. Vote while visiting the Quilt Exhibition beginning on July 18. Online voting begins on July 24. The People’s Choice will be announced on Friday, August 14.
Bring a picnic and spend the day! Admission to Billings Farm & Museum’s 34th Annual Quilt Exhibition includes the new, state-of-the-art Heifer Barn, the Vermont Farm Life Exhibit, the Ottauquechee River Walk and the Heirloom, Pollinator, and Victory Gardens. Watch the farm animals – cows, draft horses, goats and sheep – in their scenic pastures. The 1890 Farm Manager’s House is closed to the public at this time, however interpretive displays can be viewed from the porch of the house. The Dairy Bar is open and serves Vermont ice cream as well as Billings Farm cheeses and Norwich Farm Creamery products made exclusively with Billings Farm milk. Wagon rides will be offered, conditions permitting, on Mondays from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through Labor Day.
As of July 1, the Billings Farm & Museum site will be limited to a maximum capacity of 225 people at one time, per State of Vermont guidance, and face coverings must be worn by all guests over the age of 2 everywhere on the site, including the outdoors. For more about visiting Billings Farm safely, updates on our site capacity, and to learn which spaces are open, visit billingsfarm.org/visit.
The Billings Farm & Museum is owned and operated by The Woodstock Foundation Inc., a charitable non-profit institution. Billings Farm & Museum is committed to providing educational opportunities and experiences to our visitors, whether here in Woodstock, Vermont or at home wherever you are through online resources at Billings Farm at Home. Visit the newly relaunched billingsfarm.org, and find them on Facebook at facebook.com/BillingsFarmMuseum and Instagram at instagram.com/billingsfarm.
