Should swastika quilt be hung in museum?
August 30, 2010 by Shane BorerPosted in: Latest News, Oddly Enough
Is this historical item a piece of pristine quilting workmanship, or a stark reminder of one of the world’s darkest times?
Erin Quinn, manager of the Greeley Museums in Colorado, was happy to accept a donation of a hand-stitched quilt from a local family — until it was actually brought in. True to the family’s word, the 66-by-80 inch quilt that was found in a hope chest was in perfect condition, including the 27 swastikas that adorned the front of it.
Quinn estimated the quilt was made around 1900, decades before Hilter and the Nazi party adopted the symbol as a flag design. Once Hitler rose to power in the 1930′s, the quilter likely hid it from public view, but refused to destroy it because of how well-made it was.
In many European countries, it’s against the law to fly anything bearing a swastika design. When asked whether the quilt would go on public display in the Greeley Museums, Quinn admitted “certainly a lot of different people would have a lot of different things to say about this.” If the quilt does go up, said Quinn, it would be framed by plenty of historical context.
August 31st, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Can we do a spell check before we publish an article? I was reading the headline and wondering what a “swaktika” is, (should be swastika) whuch is spelled correctly in the article.
August 31st, 2010 at 6:52 pm
John,
Thanks for the heads-up. Those responsible for checking the spelling on the headline have just been sacked. If any other spelling gaffes sneak through, those responsible for sacking the people who were just sacked will also be sacked.
-Shane
September 1st, 2010 at 1:32 pm
John D. – what is the word, “whuch”? Or, did you make a spelling mistake?
September 1st, 2010 at 3:32 pm
…a moose bit my brother…
September 1st, 2010 at 8:10 pm
“Is this historical item a piece of pristine quilting workmanship, or a stark reminder of one of the world’s darkest times?”
It’s both, of course, but since it was quilted long before the Nazis hijacked the swastika, it’s not really related to that. The museum should display it, but I do see why they would want to add historical context. There’s no way that the display of this quilt is a political statement.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:18 pm
oh I am sure someone will be insulted because we live a politically correct society. I say hang it and hopefully people will notice the workmanship and not the symbols.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Shane,
Love the Monty Python reference
Mike H
The Ministry of Silly Walks
September 1st, 2010 at 9:13 pm
The Nazis borrowed a figure of religious iconography. In 1900 the Nazi party had not even been born. Heck most of its most zelous members were still in diapers when this quilt was made. In addition are we sure the arms are going the offending direction. As I understand it there is a reverse pinwheel design that is still used in religious iconography though less since the 1940s. Is there any reason that the quilt could not be displayed from the back?. Afterall, the most facinating part of a quilt is the back…showing all the quilting. Reguardless, this artifact remains a part of Americana and part of American history and is apropriate in a histrical society or meuseum with the propperly researched signage explaining the TRUE history of the iconography of the quilt. The continued persistance of Hate groups remains a dark part and it is only by learning the TRUTH can we grow past it. Part of this education is to learn about the symbols used by different people. The Star of David is a Jewish symbol, and a pentagram may be Pagan/Wiccan, but an upside down cross does not necersarily mean someone hates Jesus…rather it could be a cross of St. Peter…only via educating ourselves to the myriad of possibilites to why something might be as it is can we avoid becoming hate mongers ourselves.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:39 pm
The swastika was a common symbol representing 7 – 7s among native americans – usually the Navajo. This quilt may have origins from that source and not a reference to Nazi German. Mike
September 2nd, 2010 at 12:13 pm
My guess is that someone walking into the museum and seeing this quilt hanging there with all the swastikas is going to react to it as a symbol of Naziism. I think most will react negatively but may turn positive if they care to know the history of the quilt. Controversial for sure!
September 2nd, 2010 at 1:46 pm
I dont really think it matters if its a beautiful quilt, a stark reminder or a slap in the face of all who see it. We are talking about a museum, this is where we learn history not alter it. It may be offensive but we have no right to censor history. IT HAPPENED and if we ignore it, or alter history by sweeping it under the rug, history will surely repeat its self. We as a country need to stop worring about pleasing everyone and worry more about the truth. We offended athiest with prayer in school, prayer was removed. We offended people with the “Ten Commandments” in our courthouses, they were removed (funney we still swear in wittnesses with a bible). Fact and truth is this country was founded on the basis of and for the purpose of pusuit of religious freedom. Truth is Hitler happened, learn it teach it help prevent it happening again, but to ignore it would be the worst thing we could do.
September 4th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
I see that there was at least one comment regarding the possible origin of the design (refer: American Indian Heritage). My immediate reaction was my thoughts regarding the origin of the quilt and whether it has anything to do with Nazi Germany? Even if it is directly associated with the Nazis, just imagine the history! In any case, it must have an amazing background, whether American Indian or German.
September 8th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Sieg Heil! Siel Heil! Sieg Heil! Obama.