About Us

In the 60s and 70s, one of our 20 year members, Mary Kennedy, taught quilting in her home and met with several women in an informal group to quilt. Some of these women joined with others and met in the quilt shop of former member Catherine Heslin. They decided to place an ad in the newspaper for people interested in organizing a quilt guild.

Soon after, their first organized meeting was held in the barn behind the Tappan Library, and subsequent meetings were held at the old Nauraushaun (Norashaun) Presbyterian Church on Sickletown Road.

The group was officially named the Heritage Quilters of the Hudson Palisades in 1979. as their numbers grew and they needed more space, the group moved to the Greenbush Presbyterian Church in Blauvelt, and remained there until 1997 when theymoved to the Good Shepherd Church in Pearl River. In September of 2000 they moved to the St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Nyack.

Over the years the Heritage Quilters have hosted many quilt shows throughout Rockland County. One of the early shows was at the Methodist Church in Laydontown where the quilts were draped over the pews. At The De Wint house the quilts were hung from clotheslines outside. An exhibit was held in the Ethan Allen furniture Store in Nanuet, several shows were held at Rockland Community College, a small show was held at the Matterhorn Nursery, and our last show was held at the Nanuet High School. We have also exhibited at the New City Library. Every month we hang a new exhibit at Pearl River Library. Every September we participate in Colonial Day at the De Wint House where we display members quilts on clotheslines, answer questions about quilts, and demonstrate hand-quilting and appliqué techniques.

The guild has contributed to many charities including the Humane Society, Rockland County Women's Shelter, Hospice, St. Dominics Home, Rockland Community College Foundation, Touch of Rockland and Good Samaritan, The Association for the Visually Impaired, and the Helen Hayes Hospital. We have an ongoing project called Comfort Quilts and give away close to 100 baby quilts a year to hospitals, shelters, and other organizations, and our February meetings are huge Quilt-ins where we all get together to make as many baby quilts as we can in one night.

Our mission is : To preserve the significance and history of quilting, piecing and appliqués as a unique American folk art.

Our guild is an organization dedicated to furthering the education and interest of its members in preserving the many techniques of quilting. We welcome all skill levels from very beginners to more advanced.

Be it quilts, clothing or wall hangings, instructional guidance is what we are all about. Workshops, lectures, books, videos, slide presentations and hands-on experience are all part of our program.

Within the guild there are many experts who bring a wealth of knowledge from all over the world to further expand our learning possibilities.

Quilters are born braggers. We encourage you to bring your show and tell.

As an organization, we extend a helping hand to new and old members in an effort to continue our growth and development through the wonderful world of quilting.

If you would like to see photos of our group, Click here for our Photo Gallery

e-mail The Heritage Quilters: [email protected]