Milwaukee County Historical Society

Collections - Quilts

Friendship Quilt

Friendship Quilt
MCHS Number: M1977.055.001

This quilt is made up of 90 white cotton blocks embroidered in red thread. Each block features the name of a German-American family or individual living in Milwaukee in the 1890s.

Members of Milwaukee's leading German-American families created blocks for this quilt during the 1880s, using red embroidery floss to add their names and favorite designs. Among the families represented are the Schnechs, Seefelds, Vilters, Adlers, and Lemkes. The names of clergymen from various Germain-American churches of the period were also included. The completed blocks were assembled by Mary Perechbacher, the mother of the donor [Madeline Weis], in 1900.

All images of the artifact illustrated here are © 2007 by the Milwaukee County Historical Society. These images may be downloaded and printed by individuals for personal use, research or teaching purposes, or other "fair use" as defined by U.S. Copyright Law. All other uses are strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the Milwaukee County Historical Society. Contact mchs@prodigy.net regarding usage and reproduction requests.