One of the current projects at the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame is the conservation and display of the Signature Quilt. The Signature Quilt is a centrepiece of the museum’s collection, a “patchwork of empowerment” containing the signatures of 343 Australian women who have been first in a variety of fields within Australia, their State or Territory or their community.
Signature Quilt, National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame, Australia
This unique object is very popular with visitors and has been on display continuously since 2003. We are committed to continuing to make it accessible to the public but in a way that properly conserves the Quilt. Through very generous efforts of individuals and local organisations, we have raised our own funds for the Quilt project, which have been supplemented by a successful Heritage grant from the Northern Territory Government. Conservator Carolyn McLennan visited us in October and has since provided us with a condition report that has formed the basis of our ongoing discussions as to how to best care for the Quilt, and make it accessible to our visitors. We are now ready to start work on the fit-out of the new display for the Quilt.