Memories of Memorial Day and the Trails End Quilters
May 24, 2008 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Arts & Crafts
Memorial Day in my childhood meant traveling to Trails End Farm, where my mom grew up and her parents, sister, brother and his wife lived. Sometimes the day was celebrated with many relatives gathering there. Or we might visit, about ten miles away, the “Barrytown Coons,” my grandfather’s cousins who lived in the village of Barrytown, NY, along the Hudson River. (These families would alternate between the two farms for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.)
The food was delicious, the gathering of relatives fun, and the occasion something special in memory. I’ve come across photos of the collection of the clan and found I needed to write the name down so these times wouldn’t be lost to future generations.
Thoughts of Trails End Farm brings to mind my quilting heritage. There my grandmother taught me to make my first quilt sitting in the farmhouse kitchen with her. My grandfather wrote about his mother attending quilting bees. My mom told about quilting with her mother and grandmother.
Now my daughter, granddaughter, and I carry on the Trails End Quilting heritage and memories of Memorial Day.
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
I have a Memorial Day memory on my blog today, too.
sshay.wordpress.com
I love quilting, but haven’t done much lately. One of my prize belongings is the wedding ring quilt that my grandgrandma made for my grandma the first year she was married.
It hangs over my bed. I also have a couple of quilts my grandad’s mom made. They’re crazy quilts and not “pretty”. My mother wasn’t interested in them–so I snatched them and scurried right home.
Enjoyed your blog–
Susan
Hey there Ms. Allen,
My name is Dr. Tom Bibey. I write a physician bluegrass fiction weblog. My wife is a quilter, and will enjoy this.
Come visit at drtombibey.wordpress.com
Dr. B