Lecture Series: The Making of the Bicentennial Quilts

These two quilts were made by a group of inspired Ames women to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The Bicentennial Quilt features 30 distinctive scenes of Ames and the Signatures Quilt features 35 names of famous Iowans in their own handwriting. Charlotte Menzel organized the ideas and got the group started. She will relate the stories of the quilts and the many diligent women involved in their making and how the quilts were later shared. The two quilts will be on display in the auditorium during the lecture. This lecture complements the current Museum exhibit, “Quilted Together.” Speaker: Charlotte Menzel, Ames quilter

2025 Lecture Series presented in partnership by Ames History Museum and Ames Public Library. Lectures are free and open to the public.