AIM Pilgrim Trust Conservation Grant – Beck Isle Museum

AIM grant £3,470.40
Conservation of the 1888 Sunday School Signature Quilt 

Beck Isle Museum of Rural Life was founded in 1967 by a group of volunteers interested in preserving the history of Pickering. Housed in a Georgian Grade II* listed building, the museum is home to some 50,000 objects, cataloguing Pickering’s rich history as a rural market town.

The Signature Quilt was made by ’teachers, scholars and friends’ of the Sunday School of St Peter and Paul’s church in Pickering in 1888 under the supervision of Frances Lightfoot, the wife of the Reverend G. H. Lightfoot. It is one of the key objects in the museum’s collection and an important part of the history of Pickering, providing us with 255 names, all female, of those who were involved with the Sunday school in 1888. One of the names on the quilt is Annie Tomkins who was maidservant to Reverend Lightfoot for many years. When the Lightfoots died, Annie inherited the quilt. It was passed onto her daughter who donated it to the museum in 1988.

The quilt is worked in red and white chain stich on a Turkey red and cream cotton calico background, with names hand embroidered on calico squares. It had been hanging above the main staircase in the museum for a long period of time (possibly 30 years) and was mounted vertically on the wall using batons and Velcro. It showed signs of wear including stress tears in the fabric, staining and other deterioration in the fabric.

The focus of the project was to take it down from display and send it to a textile conservator, Sheila Landi, for it to be wet cleaned and conservation treatment to be undertaken.

As Covid 19 restrictions lift it is hoped to organise an exhibition in the community next year. In the meantime, volunteers have started researching the individuals named on the 1888 quilt to help us bring a fresh interpretation to the quilt when it does go on temporary display.

Sarah Maultby, Museum Curator said ‘The Landi Company have done a fantastic job conserving the Signature Quilt for future generations. We are very grateful to AIM Pilgrim Trust for awarding us their grant to make it all possible.’

Sarah Maultby, Museum Curator, Beck Isle Museum

Pictured: Beck Isle Museum Sunday School quilt; the centre of the Sunday School quilt from Beck Isle Museum