AURORA

An American Experience in Quilt, Community, and Craft

Based on the book by Award Winning author Jane Kirkpatrick

“Aurora: An American Experience in Quilt, Community and Craft, “ opens as the featured exhibit at the Old Aurora Colony Museum February 1st, 2009 and continues through June 6th.  This spectacular exhibit incorporates the original Aurora Colony artifacts that are shown in Jane Kirkpatrick’s latest book by the same name.

View Artifacts as Depicted in the Book

Scenes depicted in the book will be faithfully reproduced so that visitors will be able to use the book as an exhibit guide.  Artifacts have been drawn from a variety of private collections as well as items owned by the Aurora Colony Historical Society.  Those familiar with Kirkpatrick’s uncanny ability to create vivid fictional scenes will be astonished when they are able to literally take a tour through the book as they view the new exhibit.  Hint: Bring your book along to enhance your experience when you tour this exhibit.

Importance of Craftsmanship

Kirkpatrick’s book, published in December 2008, is non-fiction and it provides the first detailed look at the importance of craftsmanship within the Aurora Colony.  The author drew upon previously unpublished stories to further illustrate the colony work and how it manifested in quilts, furniture, baskets and in a wide variety of other crafts.  The Aurora Colonists practiced communal living and provided all community needs for each other.
Thus, every colony person had tasks to perform and, almost without exception, they made beautifully crafted products. 

The Jane Kirkpatrick Connection

Kirkpatrick has become quite familiar with the Aurora Colony story that she fictionalized in a trilogy of works about the life of Colonist Emma Wagner Giesy.  These books, published as part of her Change and Cherish series, have introduced the story of the Aurora Colony to thousands of new readers.  “Aurora: An American Experience in Quilt, Community and Craft,” promises to engage even more readers as Kirkpatrick tackles the broader Aurora Colony story and does so from a non-fiction perspective.

View a trailer about this book.