Winter 2010


selected articles from Winter 2010 Newsletter

2009 Quilt Show Review

by Elizabeth Corley
The annual quilt show continues to be a success, raising $11,500 for the museum and it’s programs.  The uniqueness of the setting and how the quilts are displayed along with the artifacts draws those who have come year after year as well as new visitors.
A big thanks goes to chairperson, Annette James, ACHS quilters; Ethel Combs, Sandy Nelson, Laude Hill, Mary Doak and Carol Burger, the colony store organizers; Nancy Trivitt, Ginger Swift, Florence Zwicker, Cheryl Burks, and Ellen McCloskey, our featured quilt groups, those who allowed us to display their treasured quilts, donated items for the colony store, and all the volunteers who worked during the show.
Attendance down a bit in 2009, but we are looking forward to another great show in 2010.  Be sure to mark your calendar for the 38th Annual Quilt, “Aurora Blue”, October 15-24.  We will be extending the hours on October 21st and 22nd this year and will be open until 8:00PM. 
Tickets are available for the “Aurora Blue” raffle quilt which can be seen at the museum now.
The Sixteenth Annual Block Contest theme has been chosen and will be “Bountiful Oregon”.
You can download a form: Quilt Entry Form, Block Contest, Quilt Show Poster or pick one up at the museum.

Remembering Vera Yoder

December 10, 1923 to December 11, 2009
by Patrick Harris
Vera Yoder died on December 11, 2009 one day after turning eighty seven years old. She was a descendant of the Aurora Colony through several family links including the Will’s, Stauffer’s, Kocher’s and Steinbach’s and she was a longtime member of the Aurora Colony Historical Society.
I remember Vera primarily as one of most talented quilters during the 1980’s and 1990’s as well as a hard working volunteer at the wide variety of our special events.  Vera was especially adept at organizing, making lists and checking them thrice—-qualities that helped us sponsor many successful and profitable activities.
Vera was an expert with her family history, and she was always willing to loan her wonderful colony artifacts to exhibits.  These included several quilts, baskets and cookie cutters.  She provided quite a bit of assistance to researchers and provided an excellent model for the rest of us by making sure that her family photographs were identified for future generations.
Vera, we truly will miss you.

Volunteers Give of Their Time and Talents, We Give Thanks for Volunteers…looking back on 2009

As another year comes to a close and a new decade begins we think back on the many accomplishments of the past year.  Even though the museum itself was closed in January, the work never stops.  Exhibits were rearranged and the first exhibit of the year “Aurora” was put together and ready for the February reopening.  Jane Kirkpatrick was on hand to give a talk and sign books.  We also began preparing for another season at the Stauffer-Will Farm and its companion program at the Aurora Village.  March was the time for the Spinning Wheel Showcase. In April the 4th grade program was in full swing, running through mid-June.  The annual fundraising dinner was held in May.  A new exhibit was being prepared in June, to be ready to open with a reception for the “Will Family” on Strawberry Social.  July brought living history weekends with demonstrations and hands-on activities.  August is the time for the annual Colony Days weekend, with the benefit yard sale and an added activity, Food at the Park.  This year brought the National Conference of the Communal Studies Association to Aurora, so much of September was spent planning for it as well as preparing for the annual quilt show in October as well.  November brought a new exhibit, “Gifts to the Colony 2009”, featuring donations of artifacts.  It was also the time to recognize and honor the volunteers without whom none of the above would have ever happened. We closed out the year in December with Santa at the Octagon and the Candlelight Tour.
Over 125 volunteers have participated in giving 4,974 hours of service to ACHS.
The Independent Sector lists the estimated $ value of volunteer time @ $20.25 per hour…....4,974 hours x $20.25 = $100,723.50. WOW!

Email List

Would you like to get updates / notices about upcoming events and happenings at ACHS via email? 
Send an email to: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and use the subject line email updates and we will add you our mailing list.