Florence Peto was a prolific writer and researcher. She wrote numerous articles for magazines
and her books include Historic Quilts in 1939 and American Quilts and Coverlets in 1949. Her
great writing skills can be seen in her correspondence with Honorees Dr. William Rush
Dunton, Jr., and Bertha Stenge and with quilters Emma Andres and Elizabeth Richardson.
Her first quilt, made in 1926 at the age of 45, propelled her into making other award winning
quilts. She was sought after for her lectures on quilts by historic societies and other
organizations, as well as for radio programs. As did Honoree Carrie Hall, Florence made cloth
pattern blocks for her lectures and later made them into pillows, which were sold for fund
raising.
Her collection of quilts, especially those of early styles, was shared with the public through
exhibitions and lectures. Searching for quilts for east coast museums became an avocation.
The Henry Ford Museum acquired a number of items from Peto’s collection along with some
she had made herself. Her quilt, “Calico Garden,” in the collection of the Shelbourne Museum,
was one of the 20th Century’s 100 Best American Quilts.
and her books include Historic Quilts in 1939 and American Quilts and Coverlets in 1949. Her
great writing skills can be seen in her correspondence with Honorees Dr. William Rush
Dunton, Jr., and Bertha Stenge and with quilters Emma Andres and Elizabeth Richardson.
Her first quilt, made in 1926 at the age of 45, propelled her into making other award winning
quilts. She was sought after for her lectures on quilts by historic societies and other
organizations, as well as for radio programs. As did Honoree Carrie Hall, Florence made cloth
pattern blocks for her lectures and later made them into pillows, which were sold for fund
raising.
Her collection of quilts, especially those of early styles, was shared with the public through
exhibitions and lectures. Searching for quilts for east coast museums became an avocation.
The Henry Ford Museum acquired a number of items from Peto’s collection along with some
she had made herself. Her quilt, “Calico Garden,” in the collection of the Shelbourne Museum,
was one of the 20th Century’s 100 Best American Quilts.
| Florence Peto (1884-1970) |
Quilter, collector, author of Historic Quilts,
museum benefactor. Inducted in 1980 at the
Continental Quilting Congress, Arlington, Virginia.
Research Associate: Debora Clem
museum benefactor. Inducted in 1980 at the
Continental Quilting Congress, Arlington, Virginia.
Research Associate: Debora Clem