New York

The Washington County, NY quilt square was sewn by Mary Ward of Whitehall, NY, who generously donated her time out of love for both her county and the art of quilting. She learned to sew at age nine through 4-H and continued honing her skills in Home Economics classes during junior high school. Although she long admired the beauty of quilts, it wasn’t until her mid-twenties that she followed her inner calling and began creating them herself. Today, the craft is known as fiber art—and she is completely devoted to it; her skill and talent are evident in this piece.

The Washington County quilt square is thoughtfully inspired by the County’s logo, translating its imagery into fabric and thread. The design reflects the industry and agriculture that form the fabric of the county—honoring the waterways that powered early mills and the farmlands that produced the raw materials fostering local enterprise. Fittingly, the quilter Mary Ward resides in Whitehall, which is recognized as the birthplace of the Continental Navy under the command of Benedict Arnold. Whitehall’s access to timber and water made Revolutionary War shipbuilding possible. In this way, the square’s flowing river is more than a design element; it symbolizes the enduring influence of water—and the passage of time—in shaping Washington County’s economy, identity, and legacy.