Whitework quilt of cotton, densely quilted. Made by unmarried sisters Elizabeth (Lizzie) and Martha (Mattie) Longenecker while living on family farm southwest of Lititz.
Same white cotton, front and back. Quilted designs define quilt. Centerfield is a grid-quilted large square w/ a centered 16.5 - 17" scallop-edged ring filled with a large scallop-edged 8-point star. Between star points are 8-petal flowers flanked by small circles. Centered within an inner circle of fine grid is a small star.
Surrounding centerfield are four borders; inner border has straight feathers, next is a grid followed by another feather border and a final wide grid border. Binding (3/8" wide) of same fabric, w/ quilt corners "wrapped" (no seams). Cotton batting.
Farm at 820 Woodcrest Ave., SW of Lititz
Provenance
Quilt made by the Longenecker sisters, Elizabeth (1838-1915) and Martha (1843-1899), while living on family farm inherited from their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter B. Longenecker. Quilt was passed on to niece Ellen Jane Longenecker (1891-1998) who married Warren Souder in 1921. Upon Ellen's death in 1998 at age 106, quilt was inherited by unmarried daughter Molly Souder. Molly then did not know which family member to give it to, so decided in favor of this museum at the suggestion of her oldest cousin, Marilyn Ebel, an acquaintance of Trish Herr.
Family were long-time members of the Longenecker Church of the Brethren (642 Temperance Hill Rd.) just west of Lititz (now the Evangelical Christian Baptist Church). Longenecker Cemetery adjacent to church is where makers are buried (photo of gravestones in file). Longenecker farm is located on Woodcrest Ave., near Erb's Quarry Rd. (see Atlas pages in file).
Scattered light stains and some darkening fold lines.
Object ID
G.09.04.01
Notes
Family were longtime members of the Longenecker Church of the Brethren (642 Temperance Hill Rd.) just west of Lititz. Farm adjoins the church, now Evangelical Christian Baptist Church. Owner of farm is now Forney Longenecker.
Place of Origin
Lititz
Role
Quiltmaker
Credit
Given in memory of Ellen Longenecker Souder by Molly Souder, Heritage Center Collection
