A Century of Quilts – 1927-2027

The New Brunswick Museum’s first quilt entered the collection in March 1927. Already more than 150 years old at the time, it was made by the matriarch of the Crookshanks family, a British-American family that later arrived in New Brunswick with the United Empire Loyalists in 1783. Its pattern features a simple patchwork grid of silk, cotton, and wool, including fabric repurposed from military uniforms.

Now, one hundred years later, the New Brunswick Museum is celebrating the richness of its quilt collection with the release of the 2027 New Brunswick Museum Calendar: A Century of Quilts – 1927–2027.

Featuring fourteen quilts drawn from a collection of more than 450 examples, the calendar highlights a range of quilting traditions and techniques, including pieced, appliquéd, and whole-cloth works. Spanning more than two centuries of New Brunswick history, these remarkable textiles reflect the creativity, artistry, and skill of the province’s quilters across generations.

More than functional objects, quilts preserve stories, patterns, and traditions passed from one maker to another over time. Each piece represents countless hours of craftsmanship and care, offering a unique window into the social and artistic history of the province.

The New Brunswick Museum is proud to share this selection from its decorative arts collection and to celebrate the enduring legacy of quilting in New Brunswick.

The calendar can be purchased at the New Brunswick Museum Online Boutique here.