Layered Narratives | Mingei International Museum
Quilt textile with patriotic motifs
Image: Quilt textile with patriotic motifs
On View

May 17 - Nov 16, 2025

Location

Mingei International Museum

Curated By

Olivia Joseph, Quilt Research Fellow

"Layered Narratives: Quilted Stories of Gender and Race at the 1876 Centennial" explores gender and racial politics at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition through the medium of centennial quilts from Mingei’s permanent collection.

The centennial celebrated the 100-year independence of the United States from Great Britain and featured various installations—ranging from foreign exhibitions to art galleries and governmental-related spaces. Taking place at a time when colonialism was romanticized and Jim Crow was nearing, many of the existing voices and stories from this event are portrayed through Eurocentric and patriarchal lenses. This exhibition focuses on the absent voices and unheard stories found at this centennial.     Packed with various symbolisms and meaning, the centennial quilts featured in Layered Narratives give insight into both women’s political involvement and Black exclusion at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition and in the quilts.  

Mingei's Quilt Research Fellow position is made possible through generous support from the Terra Foundation.

Banner Image
Julia Adams, Signature Quilt - Pieced - Adams, Rochester, New York, 1878 dated. Cotton on Thin (Batting) - Centennial printed handkerchiefs - Memorial Hall - Four rows of handkerchief yardage - two blue and two red - same print, just different color ways. (Backing). 88 in. x 98 in. (223.52 cm x 248.92 cm). Gift of Pat L. Nickols, 2012-35-181.

Julia Adams, ​“Signature Quilt — Pieced — Adams,” Rochester, New York, 1878 dated. Cotton on Thin (Batting) — Centennial printed handkerchiefs — Memorial Hall — Four rows of handkerchief yardage — two blue and two red — same print, just different color ways. (Backing). 88 in. x 98 in. (223.52 cm x 248.92 cm). Gift of Pat L. Nickols, 2012−35−181.
Julia Adams, ​“Signature Quilt — Pieced — Adams,” Rochester, New York, 1878 dated. Cotton on Thin (Batting) — Centennial printed handkerchiefs — Memorial Hall — Four rows of handkerchief yardage — two blue and two red — same print, just different color ways. (Backing). 88 in. x 98 in. (223.52 cm x 248.92 cm). Gift of Pat L. Nickols, 2012−35−181.