A celebration of America and the Bronx in fabric

After spending 50 years in the dark, three quilts see the light of day again.

Conceived by the New York City Bicentennial Corporation, “History Stitched Together: Bronx Bicentennial Quilts” was created in 1976 for the country’s 200^th birthday, marked by the 1776 adoption of the Declaration of Independence. 

Today, the exhibit coincides with the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution, some of which was fought on the grounds of Van Cortlandt Park. Housed on the top floor of the Van Cortlandt House Museum (VCHM,) the three quilts are exposed to the elements, with no glass or plastic separating them from the viewer. The vividness of the colors are so bright, it’s hard to believe the fabric is half a century old.

Each quilt is preserved by its own institution. The one with a red border surrounding a blue border and punctuated by small, evenly-spaced red squares belongs to the museum, while the center quilt with a blue border was created by Riverdale Senior Services a year after their founding. RSS celebrated their 50^th anniversary last year.

“It’s amazing to see this quilt come full circle,” Tina Cardoza-Izquierdo said, executive director of the senior facility. “Our members poured their hearts into it 50 years ago and it still represents the spirit of RSS — community, creativity and pride in where we come from.”

Together, the three quilts feature 80 squares, all different from each other with a few repeating themes, like the Bronx Zoo and Wave Hill. Quilters ranged from novice to expert, but to an untrained eye, they all look meticulously stitched with an incredible attention to detail.

Given the age of the artwork, finding original quilters to speak to proved difficult, but not impossible.

“One of them did talk to me for a little bit,” Nick Dembowski told The Press, president of the Kingsbridge Historical Society, conservationist of the quilt with the red border and the large 76 in the upper right-hand corner.

“Everyone was tasked with finding an aspect of the area’s history that resonated with them and they just had a blast working together,” Dembowski added.

Famous singer/songwriter, Carly Simon grew up in Fieldston and her mother, Andrea Simon -- who died in 1994 -- was one of the original quilters, according to Peter Ostrander, the original curator of teh exhibit in 1976 and president emeritus of the Kingsbridge Historical Society.

Some quotes by the quilters themselves are also part of the exhibit.

“I was happy I could find a babysitter for my toddler so that I could participate,” reads a quote by Winifred Mizrahi.

Interesting to note that finding childcare was an issue 50 years ago, as well.    

“The view of the Henry Hudson Bridge is lovingly and thoughtfully rendered, capturing the natural beauty of the Northwest Bronx—the same scene that struck me when I first stood there,” Margaret Homes said of her favorite square in the collection, executive director of The Van Cortlandt House Museum.

Once completed, the quilts were displayed at the World Trade Center for a special bicentennial exhibition. But local history may make the quilts more notable. 

George Washington rested his head at the Van Cortlandt mansion in 1776 and 1783. The grounds were also part of the only revolutionary battle to ccur entirely within Van Cortlandt Park.

Chief Abraham Ninham of the Mohicans from Massachusetts followed the British to the bronx, but they were defeated by the British in what is known today as Van Cortlandt Park East, according to NYC Parks. A total of 17 Native Americans died on the field in August 1778.

Despite dating back to ancient civilizations, the sewing technique was purely practical. It would not be revered as a decorative art until the 19th century when it became a popular way for people -- usually women -- to express their patriotism with symbols and iconography. 

With the advent of mass production, the art began to die out and considentally, the interest was reignited during America's bicentennial. 

"It's intresting to see how people were thinking about their country and community and themselves then as opposed to now," Dembowski said. "There's certain reflections on history you can pick up in the quilts." 

The exhibit will be housed at the VCHM through May 31 and will move to the Kingsbridge Historical Society where it will concide with their exhibit, "Kingsbridge Remembers 250," shceduled to open June 8.