NEW YORK, NY.- This spring, the
New-York Historical Society contributes to the nationwide conversation on the sesquicentennial commemoration of the American Civil War (1861-65) with the exhibition Homefront & Battlefield: Quilts & Context in the Civil War. On view from April 4 through August 24, 2014, the exhibition offers a new perspective on the most divisive period in American history, reflecting the personal sacrifice, heroism, mourning, and reconciliation that changed the course of the nation.
Featuring approximately 130 objects, including textiles, clothing, artifacts, and images, Homefront & Battlefield examines how textiles were both an expression of and a motivating force behind American politics and culture. Organized by the American Textile History Museum, in Lowell, MA, where the show debuted in 2012, this presentation features additional significant artifacts from New-York Historical's collection, curated by Margi Hofer, curator of decorative arts at the New-York Historical Society.
“Homefront & Battlefield once again demonstrates New-York Historical’s signature initiative to frame history with art, telling the story of the Civil War era through abolitionists’ slogans on silk handkerchiefs, plantation owners’ deals with Rhode Island mills for rough wool to clothe slaves, and needlework stitched by patriotic women on both sides in support of the war effort,” said Louise Mirrer, President and CEO of the New-York Historical Society. “We are so pleased to present this exhibition in New York and share highlights from our collection, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in a unique way.”
Among the exhibition highlights on view at New-York Historical is a large-scale silk banner for the 39th Regiment New York State Veteran Volunteers (ca. 1861), rescued by Lieutenant Kiliaen Van Rensselaer IV from a wounded flag bearer at the Battle of Sutherland’s Station during the Appomattox campaign. Also on view are simple objects with powerful symbolism, such as the hemp rope noose said to be used to hang abolitionist John Brown, who was convicted of treason, murder, and inciting a slave rebellion.
Homefront & Battlefield features incredibly detailed quilts, such as the “Reconciliation Quilt” (1867) by Lucinda Ward Honstain of Brooklyn, which commemorates the Civil War and chronicles post-war life. The appliquéd and embroidered blocks feature the American eagle, Stars and Stripes, soldiers and sailors (her husband, John, was a major in the 132nd New York Infantry), and their home and farm animals, as well as African Americans, including a man addressing a white man on horseback, saying “Master I Am Free.” Another quilt (ca. 1865) depicts Union Zouave militiamen in their elaborate, North-African inspired attire of pantaloons and long sashes. Likely for a soldier returning home from war, it is made from the distinctive red, blue, and checkered fabrics used in the Zouave uniforms stitched at the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia, the first and one of the largest public enterprises operated by the army to uniform the troops.
Personal articles of clothing on view include a Union officer's wool uniform jacket (ca. 1862), worn by Lieutenant William Henry Shelton of the 1st Regiment New York Light Artillery throughout ten months of imprisonments and escapes in Georgia and South Carolina. A “free labor” dress (1850s)—made of a conservative brown wool/silk blend and lined with calico—was worn by Rachel Robinson of Ferrisburgh, Vermont, a devout Quaker and abolitionist. With her husband, Robinson sheltered and employed runaway slaves and refused to purchase goods made with slave labor.
