Florida State Fair - Old Quilts of course

Simple yet beautiful…
Red and white 9 patch quilt made with rail fence blocks

 First time at the Florida State Fair was overwhelming. It is easy to get there as it is just off interstate 4 east of Tampa. We started early and got stuck in traffic as three lanes became one. Very frustrating. Nevertheless it was well worth the drive. 

We began at Cracker Country  which is a living history museum filled with 13 old buildings showcasing earlier times in Florida. It is staffed by volunteers in period clothes.

Demonstration of caning a chair seat.

The Smith House is very small - two rooms and two front porches on the first floor. Daniel and Elizabeth lived in Zephyrhills. The house was built for them in 1894 as a wedding present. They lived there and raised three children. 

 When ladies were doing the actual quilting they used a wooden frame set down in the middle of the room.  When not quilting it was raised up and stored near the ceiling on a pulley system.  

The high light of this small two room house was definitely this Double Wedding Ring Quilt.  

Detail of fabrics and hand quilting.  

The Terry Store was a wonderful trip back in time.   In their dry goods section they showcased material and threads.

They even offer an electric Singer Sewing Machine complete with carrying case. Lovely.   

1904-1905 electric Singer sewing machine with knee pedal.

One building in Cracker Country was completely filled with a model train service.  It was huge and complex.  They even had a County Fair with a Quilt Show.

Look at those teeny tiny quilts.  

Carlton House was built by Martha and Albert in 1885. It was moved from Wauchula, Florida. It is a large two storey home with a separate kitchen and cook room. They had 9 sons who shared a bedroom and one daughter who had her own bedroom.  Lucky girl.

On the porch, a masked lady was demonstrating a form of hand weaving. Very portable and sturdy. 

Here is the master bedroom with a beautiful Log Cabin on the bed. Note the two shotguns and gun powder holder made out of a horn above the bed.

Intricate 4 poster bed frame. 

Detail of Log Cabin. 

The Carlton House also had a very early sewing machine…I think.  

 

The broom makers were using a simple and colourful one patch quilt to make a chair more comfortable. 

We were lucky enough to be there when the Bits of Grass Band played. A real treat! 

….and then we went to the fair….  More modern quilts another day.