Canadian County Historical Museum

Special six-week exhibit "Quilts of Yesteryear" opens Saturday, June 6th. Featured is signature quilt recently donated to the Museum, that was a fundraiser for El Reno's First Baptist Church in the 1920's, a quilt made by Red Cross bandage wrapper volunteers in 1911, crazy quilts, one with sugar sacks for the backing, and more. Admission is $5 pp. Canadian County Museum 300 S Grand Ave, El Reno, Wed-Sat 10:30am-4pm.

The Canadian County Museum is pleased to announce the donation of a remarkable signature quilt dating back to the 1920s, offering a unique glimpse into the social and community life of early El Reno.
The quilt was generously donated by Jane Noland of Joplin, who discovered the piece for sale in Vinita, OK. At the time of purchase, the quilt bore a simple handwritten tag pinned to it reading, “an El Reno, OK quilt.” Noland noted that when she acquired the quilt, she was not even familiar with the City of El Reno, making the discovery all the more meaningful as her research unfolded.

Upon closer examination, Noland determined that the quilt is a classic “signature quilt,” a type commonly used as a fundraising project for churches and community organizations in the early 20th century. Individuals would often pay a small fee—typically a nickel, dime, or quarter—to have their name embroidered onto the quilt.

“The center design of the quilt is particularly fascinating,” said Phennette Guay, museum board member. “Jane discovered it
matches the size of seals used on canning jars during that era, suggesting a creative and resourceful approach by the quilt’s maker.” Further analysis revealed that all of the names stitched onto the quilt appear to have been embroidered by the same individual, adding to its historical significance and craftsmanship.

As a genealogist, Noland undertook extensive research to identify each name on the quilt. She carefully documented the individuals, compiling details such as birth and death dates and, when possible, their occupations. Her work transforms the quilt from a beautiful artifact into a valuable historical record of the El Reno community in the 1920s.

The quilt will be featured in a special exhibition, “Quilts of Yesteryear,” opening in June 6th. This six-week display will be housed in the historic Mennoville Mennonite Church located on the museum grounds, offering visitors a unique setting to experience this and other textile treasures.

“We are incredibly grateful to Jane Noland for her dedication and generosity,” said Guay. “This quilt is more than a textile—it’s a story of community, faith, and the people who helped shape Canadian County.”

The quilt will be preserved as part of the museum’s permanent collection and will serve as an educational resource for visitors interested in local history, genealogy, and early 20th-century traditions.