Busy Bees in Heidelberg

Unique 19th Century signature quilt now on display Sundays 2pm-5pm until end of November.

This large, rare quilt with distinctive lace insertions was made by a local group to help raise funds in the mid-1890s for a new Scots Presbyterian Church in Heidelberg. 213 hand-embroidered squares record almost 140 legible names, as well as dozens of initials, decorations and place-names. 

The quilt was created by a Busy Bee society formed in 1895 by an industrious group of Heidelberg women. Their initiative raised funds for the local Scots Church. The signatures reveal social networks extending from Heidelberg to Prahran and Williamstown and elsewhere in Victoria.

VISIT the Heidelberg Historical Society museum to see this impressive work and to find out about the people and the stories revealed by the embroidered squares. OPEN SUNDAYS from 19 May 2019 2pm – 5pm.

EXPLORE detailed images of the quilt and contribute your own comments via their interactive webpages.

The exhibition aims to raise awareness of a popular fund-raising strategy from the late 19th Century, somewhat similar to the crowd-funding projects favoured by today’s social networks.

Demonstrations by local specialists will help visitors appreciate techniques of lace-making, embroidery and quilt-making. The Banksia Lace Group will be at the Museum on the 4th Sunday of each month, commencing 26 May 2019. The aim is to inspire new networking amongst people who practice traditional crafts and those who explore family, church and local history.

Admission: $5

Members & Children under 16: FREE admission

For group visits or viewings (12 or more people) on other days, please contact the Society.

Telephone: 9455 2130 or email: heidelberg.historical.society@gmail.com