Greeneville Quilt Trail Milestone

Friends & family of Wayne Horton/Elsie Guess

Greeneville once again outdid itself today and showed that volunteers make the world go ’round and make our communities better and brighter and more vibrant.

We’ve had several outstanding new quilt blocks added to the downtown Quilt Trail in Greeneville this year of 2017…the Greeneville Women’s Club sponsored the Greeneville Sun’s Grandmother’s Flower Garden  and Broyles General Store’s Lone Star (both painted by Linnie Greene and Barb Evans).  The Bewley’s added a total of four squares to their beloved buildings: two on the City Garage Car Museum (painted by Amy Saxonmeyer), and two on the Crescent School (painted by Lois Blanks and 10 friends). Plus Quilt Alley (off 120 Depot Street) was “finished” this year with 5 beautiful squares from 5 Greene County families, the Pine Burr and Pickle Dish (both painted by Linnie Greene and Barb Evans).

Today the 20th quilt block was added to the downtown trail, and it was a special one because it’s the first quilt block in our region to be inspired by an African-American family quilt.  It is probably one of the few in Tennessee and likely one of the few in the country—since 45 states and Canada all have Quilt Trails!

Documenting the full richness of community stories through the lens of quilts is our mission.

So I am so thankful to the volunteer work that took three years to make this Trip Around the World quilt square a reality. The inspiration was provided by Wayne Horton, inspired by a circa 1900 quilt by his great great grandmother Elsea Guess. Ms. Guess was born cir. 1875 in Greene County.  To celebrate her and to celebrate Wayne, more than 50 people came to the quilt square unveiling and reception at the General Morgan Inn. It was a Guess/Horton family reunion!

Wayne

For three years, Wayne and friends, like George Blanks have been talking about having his family quilts on the Quilt Trail.  Wayne does so much for the community. Also, his father and grandparents and great and great-great grandparents were quilters, so there were many to choose from.  But honestly, Wayne is a giving, but private person, and does not like the limelight.

He was gracious today to let us shine some light on him, as he every day shines light on others.

Amy Saxonmeyer adapted the Around The World quilt for the quilt pattern, choosing to paint a 5×7 quilt square (instead of the typical square). It’s vibrant colors bounce off the wall and catch the eye. You’ll no doubt miss it, on the corner of Main Street and Church Street on the back of the corner building (Richland Antiques).

Amy was supported by the Quilt Trail committee: George & Lois Blanks; Linnie Greene; Barb Evans; Beverly Selmeski; Christine Huss and several others who support the project.

Commemorative mugs of the quilt square are available for purchase at the Greene County Greeneville History Museum for $14; Also the General Morgan Inn and Greeneville Antique Market sell several of the designs for sale.

Thank you Linnie Greene for the pictures:

Most, but not yet all, of the downtown Greeneville quilt squares are at the Quilt Trail website: www.quilttrail.org

To walk the downtown Trail you can pick up our new MAP! at many downtown information centers, such as the History Museum, General Morgan Inn; the Partnership building; the Greeneville Antique Mall. The map is updated with all 20 squares! Sponsored by the Fund for Greene County.