The Governor Richard James Oglesby Mansion located at 421 West William Street (Decatur) will be hosting a special “Quilt Talk” on Saturday, August 30 at 2pm. This will be the second presentation in the newly formed Edward and Carolyn Ogen Historic Speaker Series at the Oglesby Mansion. This presentation will feature Linda Boles, a past president of the Decatur Quilters Guild and a well-known area quilter. Linda will present information and examples of “Crazy Quilts.” These were quilts popular in the 1880s when the Governor, his wife Emma and their children lived in the mansion.

The Mansion will be open and will provide tours following the presentation which takes place in the parlor. Light refreshments will be available. A $5 per adult and $2 per child donation is requested. The presentation will begin at 2pm and the Mansion will close at 4pm. Members of the Board of Directors and community volunteers act as docents during the tours. The home is also open on Sunday, August 31 (2pm-4pm) for regular tours.

The Governor’s Mansion invited the talented members of the Decatur Quilters Guild to display some of their quilts in the patterns of Governor Oglesby’s time at the Mansion. The guild has over a dozen quilts on display during the August Open Houses at the Mansion. Visitors will see various patterned quilts displayed including The Log Cabin pattern and crazy quilt. The quilt exhibit is on display each Wednesday and Saturday in August from 2-4 as well as Sunday, August 31st.

The Decatur Quilters Guild was created by nine women in 1979. Over the past forty years the group has grown to 65 members strong. The Guild’s mission statement is to preserve, educate, promote and share in the art of quilting. They host a large Quilt Show every other year, provide lessons in beginning quilting, do trunk shows for nursing homes and senior living centers, donate lap quilts and neck pillows to Hospice and Cancer Care and to veterans. Members have also provided programs for school children. The Guild is a not-for-profit organization made up of quilters who enjoy sharing our love for quilting with the community.

Guild meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 10:00 am -2:00pm at Grace Baptist Church, 3770 N. Water St., Decatur, Il.