his book is just a short length of the

continuous thread forming the story of

quilt making in America. No other form of

needlework seems to have become so

closely involved with the history of this coun-

try and with the lives of our people.

The Great Quilt Contest was the brainchild

of Robert H. Kline, president of the U.S. His-

torical Society. In 1975, in cooperation with

the Museum of American Folk Art in New York

City, he formulated a plan to find the one most

outstanding quilt from each of the 50 states

plus the District of Columbia. His idea was to

organize a contest with the help of a national

magazine and exhibit the winners in a book

and a travelling show so that they could be

enjoyed and appreciated by all.

The U.S. Historical Society, a private, non-

governmental organization, might be called a

national trust for "things." It works in coopera-

tion with museums and other institutions in

reproducing such memorabilia as historic

firearms, swords, fine art prints, furniture,

stained glass, and other art objects. From

time to time, the Society has also sponsored

national programs to encourage greater inter-

est in America s heritage.