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Museum to host Gallery Talk Saturday on antique quilts
Quilt expert Cindy Claycamp will lead a gallery walk and talk about the antique quilts from the Houck Family Collection now on display at the Putnam County Museum on Saturday, Jan. 24 at
11 a.m.
Claycamp is a certified and nationally recognized quilt appraiser from Seymour.
The museum's quilt exhibit contains nine extraordinary quilts from the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is thought that the quilts were handmade by Clara McPherson (1853--1938).
Clara moved to Putnam County with her niece, Norris McPherson (1897--1949) when Norris married David Worth Houck (1884--1983). Clara had raised the orphaned Norris in Mooresville. Clara lived with Norris and David Houck until she died in 1938.
Norris and David had a son, James McPherson Houck (1921--2013), who married his Greencastle High School classmate, Helen Marie Jome (class of 1939).
Helen and James' son, David Houck and his wife, Carolyn, found a treasure trove of quilts and other textiles in Helen and James Houck's home on Terrace Lane in Greencastle after Helen moved to Asbury Towers.
The museum is grateful to Carolyn and David Houck for the loan of the quilts, which will be on display at the museum until Feb. 12.
Next up in the art walk at the museum will be the annual Student Art Show opening March 7.
In addition to the gallery talk, Claycamp will be available to appraise quilts in the afternoon on Saturday.
Appraisals are by appointment and there will be a fee. Oral appraisals are $20 and written appraisals are $45 for museum members (non-members add $10). Written appraisals will be returned by mail and include not only description and relevant information, but also the value of the quilt.
A written appraisal is a legal document that can be used for insurance purposes. In the oral appraisals, Claycamp will discuss the quilts, but not assign a value.
With questions or to make an appointment for an appraisal, persons may call the museum at 653-8419 or email info@putnamcountymuseum.org.