This morning our blog is from Jennifer Watts-Martin, Tennessee State American Heritage Chair. The 15 quilt block entries were wonderful and truly show the talents of our daughters. I can’t wait for you to see the TN quilt design when it is revealed with the other state blocks in the final product. In Service, Cecile
The American Heritage Committee launched the America 250! Quilt Project in February 2022! The quilt will be the collaboration of all states, Units Overseas, Mexico, and France. Each state and region will create one block for the quilt. All blocks will be sewn together to become a beautiful American Heritage quilt. The beautifully created quilt will be proudly displayed at headquarters and portable to use at various America 250! Celebrations! Our theme is: “As each state became part of our country beginning 250 years ago, each state block of our quilt will unite with all to become a tapestry of our country’s heritage”.
Tennessee had 15 wonderful chapters that submitted creative and imaginative quilt blocks. One of the most investing aspects of this contest was seeing how each chapter defined Tennessee history in their quilt block designs. Congratulations to Alexander Keith, Captain William Lytle, Chickasaw Bluff, Chief John Ross, Colonel Hardy Murfree, Fort Nashborough, General Daniel Smiths Rock Castle, General William Lee Davidson, John Nolen, Key Corner, Margaret Gaston, Mary Blount, Rachel Stockley Donelson, River City and Tullahoma Chapters.
It is my privilege to announce that the River City Chapter, Teresa Longmire Ross, Regent submitted the winning quilt block design! After many difficult hours of consideration, it was decided that River City’s entry best represented Tennessee’s revolutionary war history in accordance with the directives issued by NSDAR.
River City Chapter member Julie Forbess and Prospective DAR Member, Lora McCoy Cornelius worked together to design the quilt block. Their inspiration was the story of the Over Mountain Men, a group of frontiersmen, and their contribution to the success of the Revolution. Julie’s ancestor, Josiah Culbertson, fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain under Isaac Shelby. To further highlight Tennessee landmarks associated with the Over Mountain Men, they learned about the DAR memorial at Sycamore Shoals. The statues erected by the town of Elizabethton at Sycamore Shoals state historic site inspired the frontiersman who appears on the block. The outline of the State with Fort Watauga marked in the eastern corner is a reminder of the mustering site of the Over Mountain Men whose battle at Kings Mountain was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. The Watauga River that the fort was positioned on is also marked on the quilt block. An early version of the spelling of Tennessee was included because it was derived from a tribe of the Cherokee located at the site named Tanasi. The date of the battle of Kings Mountain and the date and placement that Tennessee was admitted to the United States is also included. Many thanks to Julie for explaining their inspiration for their design to us so eloquently.
It has been my privilege to serve the Tennessee Society in this capacity.
In DAR Service,
Jennifer Watts-Martin
American Heritage Committee – TN State Chair
