Quilting and life insurance typically have no commonalities, but in the case of Royal Neighbors of America®, there is a common thread.
In 2016, Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. accepted two hand-made, 1930s quilts each with a rich community history donated by Royal Neighbors, one of the largest and oldest women-led life insurers in the nation. The 85-year-old quilts were created by members of Royal Neighbors’ volunteer chapters who desired to help others in their communities, an organizational mission that still exists today. The donated quilts were created for residents of a senior living center established by the organization, which was open from 1931 until 2004.
The RNA wheel quilt with 36 blades in the unusual colors of royal blue and orange was made by Hattie Gass, a member of Royal Neighbors’ Virden, IL, volunteer chapter. While quilting is typically a group event, Hattie embroidered the names of the members of the Virden chapter on the quilt by hand and stitched “RNA” in the hubs of the wheels as a one-woman project. She also included the names of local businesses that supported the community. There are 10-12 stitches per inch in the blades which is indicative of a master quilter.
The second keepsake was made by members of the Clovis, NM, volunteer chapter and features embroidered flower blocks, including lilies. The lilies represent the name of the chapter which circa 1930 was called “Lily Camp 7699.” The names of chapter members also were stitched in various alternating lavender and white blocks.
The true value of quilting lies in its role as a legacy of women’s history. Memory quilts highlight the artistry of hand-stitched quilting with names, dates, and locations stitched into the fabric. These quilts stand as valuable historical documents, capturing special connections that individuals held with organizations like Royal Neighbors.
