Current Exhibits

Not Your Grandma's Quilt: Contemporary Quilts of Putnam County

Opening October 6, 2024

This exhibit, curated by the Putnam County Extension Homemaker Quilt clubs, One Stitch at a Time and Sew Many Stitchers, features contemporary quilts of the 21st century.

Grandma’s quilts were oftentimes made from feed-sacks and bits of fabric from worn out clothing, each piece of the quilt holding a memory of family and times gone by. Time, technology, and the vast array and availability of fabric and quilting tools has changed the look of quilts and quilting. Our quilt clubs embrace the joy of quilting and views quilting as a means of expressing ourselves using fabric, texture, color and patterns, with the hope of leaving behind a legacy of love and memories for our children and grandchildren.

Quilts are so much more than just warm bed covers -- they are love, care, memories, hope, and creativity expressed through the patterns, materials, and hands of their makers.

There is something special about snuggling under a warm quilt on a cold night. Though light in weight, the quilt traps the body's heat in the air cells created by the quilting, a unique combination of layering and stitching. Soon the quilt becomes a cozy, enveloping shield that no icy blast can penetrate.

The term "quilt" comes from the Latin “culcita”, meaning a stuffed sack. The word has two meanings. It is used as noun, meaning the 3-layer stitched bed covering, consisting of a decorated top, a backing and a filler in the middle. It is also used as a verb, meaning the act of stitching through the 3 layers to hold them together.

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A selection of contemporary quilts.

Quilting is not only a fun and creative hobby, it also offers numerous health benefits for both mind and body. The concentration required to choose fabrics, stitch and create intricate patterns diverts attention away from stressors, fostering a sense of calmness and reducing anxiety levels. It offers a sense of purpose and fulfillment, as it provides a tangible end-product that can be used or gifted.

There is something special about snuggling under a warm quilt on a cold night. Though light in weight, the quilt traps the body's heat in the air cells created by the quilting, a unique combination of layering and stitching. Soon the quilt becomes a cozy, enveloping shield that no icy blast can penetrate.

The term "quilt" comes from the Latin “culcita”, meaning a stuffed sack. The word has two meanings. It is used as noun, meaning the 3-layer stitched bed covering, consisting of a decorated top, a backing and a filler in the middle. It is also used as a verb, meaning the act of stitching through the 3 layers to hold them together.

Quilting is not only a fun and creative hobby, it also offers numerous health benefits for both mind and body. The concentration required to choose fabrics, stitch and create intricate patterns diverts attention away from stressors, fostering a sense of calmness and reducing anxiety levels. It offers a sense of purpose and fulfillment, as it provides a tangible end-product that can be used or gifted.

WJNZ and the History of Radio in Putnam County

Join us to explore the rich history of radio broadcasting in Greencastle, Indiana! Starting with the launch of WXTA-FM in 1966, this exhibit showcases the pioneering efforts of visionaries like Jinsie Bingham, the first woman in Indiana to own a commercial radio station. Under her leadership, the station became WJNZ-FM 94.3, transforming local media and paving the way for greater female representation in broadcasting.

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What Bugs Us! and Willis Blatchley

Willis Blatchley grew up in Groveland and became interested in insects while helping on his father’s truck produce farm. Ultimately, Blatchley became the Indiana State Naturalist, publishing numerous reports for the State, four manuals concerning classification of specific insects especially beetles, two autobiographies, and a number of contemplative nature-inspired books. Blatchley discovered many insects that had never been described. Several bear his name, such as this Handsome Fungus Beetle, stenotarsus blatchleyi.

This exhibit contains not only specimens collected by Blatchley more than 100 years ago courtesy of the Purdue Entomological Research Collection, but also the award-winning insect collections of Grace Aker and Justin Evans, an interactive photographic bug mosaic developed by John Garner in conjunction with local photographers, and Blatchley memorabilia loaned by the Blatchley Nature Study Club.

This exhibit is sponsored by Jedele Enterprises. Thank you!

Photo courtesy of Judy Gallagher - https://www.flickr.com/photos/52450054@N04/14350515631/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55247372

What Bugs Us - Activities for Kids!

July 27, 11:00 All About Bees – Where Should I Live?

Children will:

Learn about different kinds of bees and what homes they are most comfortable in

Make their own mason bee home out of provided materials

Best for: children aged 6+

Cost: $5 per participant

August 17, 11:00 Seek and Find: Make your own Insect Viewer

Children will:

Create their own insect viewer out of provided materials