Arkansas

Arkansas

When Tim first mentioned his project, I knew I was all in. I’ve spent the 20 years I’ve lived in Arkansas making quilts and other donation items for my church and others. This was a fit for me, and his project as well. My Quilts of Valor group, “Sew Much Valor” had patriotic patterns ready to go, so I volunteered a couple of their members to join in. 

I told them about it later. Lol

I was happy to know that he had an idea of what he wanted – not the normal “Razorback everything”, like we see every day here in Fayetteville, but something that represented Washington County history. 

 He sent me a link to the history found online.

The historic Washington County courthouse is the fifth courthouse for our county. It was built in 1904 on 15 parcels costing $5500 which were part of the stage coach stop. The winning bid was $98,500 and included a time capsule cornerstone. At that time there were 34,000 people in the county. The floor of the building contained 60,000 round hand laid ceramic Mosaic tiles. It also had a hydraulic elevator, but it was only used until 1906 due to the $500 a year water bill. The building was riddled with roof leaks, sewer problems, and birds in the attic for years. Every couple years more money was needed for repairs. In 1920 the Daughter’s of the American Revolution fundraised monies to hire a New York artist to paint a mural honoring all of the Washington County men who died in World War I. 

In 1965 the building was deemed too small for the counties needs. Also that year the clock tower steeple was removed because it was leaning. In 1974 after it was repaired, it was set in place using the largest helicopter in the western world, out of Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Between 5,000 to 8,000 people stood on the street below to watch the tower spire be set. 

In 1975 Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham purchased their marriage license on the second floor. 

In 2004 Judge Mary Ann Gunn observed a month-long celebration of the 100th birthday of this historic courthouse. On May 7, 2005, approximately 2000 people attended the Centennial celebration which included shutting down portions of College Avenue/US Highway 71B to make room for attendees. 

To this day the historic courthouse is still being used to store archives as well as the third floor courtroom for Judge Mary Ann Gunn. 

When touring the historic Washington County courthouse , I first noticed the beautiful wood furnishings and trim, then the 60,000 floor tiles. Knowing there was not time to create a block using 60,000 hexies, my thought went to an embroidery block of the courthouse. It’s a complicated embroidery to capture the detail of the building, however, I noticed a flag depicting the building’s outline on the county seal, outside of the window. 

 I contacted a digitizing expert, but time was short and Plan B was to make a collage fused from fabrics I had gathered from friends in the guild. I’m really not a mini person so tiny windows and doors were daunting into the wee hours of a few nights. 

I knew I could talk Tim into a little extra time and was able to bring him a choice of the county seal, the fused courthouse, or a Crosstitch block from the historical society. He chose the fused block. From there, it was a lot more stitching on tiny pieces, shading, and turning the block over to my friend Paula Dutton for the handwork flowers. If you notice the tower leaning- it’s because it was part of the history! If not- that’s good. 

Elizabeth Childs, Paula and myself have consulted many times over the phone and in person as we laid out the blocks and discussed how the process is and should be progressing, keeping mindful of our timeline to get the top to Sheila Bailes, the longarmer, so she can work her magic with her quilting. Then the quilt will be appraised by our one and only appraiser in Arkansas – Alice McElwain. I can’t wait to see Tim’s face looking at the final “Dream come true” for him. 

Thank you Tim (and your wife!), for all your work and skills to make so many quilters a part of this historic moment to commemorate our country’s 250th birthday!  

Lori Jones