Our History
15 Years and Still Growing Strong!
In October of 1995, 56 quilt enthusiasts gathered at the Rock Hill Library in Rock Hill, SC, to discuss forming a
quilt guild. From this meeting emerged the birth of the York County Quilters, and the rest is history.
The first YCQ newsletter published in November 1995, and stated in part that the group would meet the third Monday of each month at the Old Federal Building 2nd floor courtroom in downtown Rock Hill, now known as the Thomas Getty Building. A board of directors was formed, by-laws written, and in January 1996 the members voted on the name “York County Quilters”. Ellen Fox designed the logo we still use today, and dues were set at $12.00 a year. Diana Venters was the first president, and by the end of 1996 membership nearly doubled, totaling close to 100 members.
Joyce Loves Chickens
Hand appliqued and quilted byJoyce Walton
Quilt displayed at Quilt Patch Fabrics, Matthews, NC
Our first quilt show was held on October 3rd and 4th, 1997, in conjunction with the Rock Hill Jubilee, and was entitled “A Harvest of Quilts”. It was held in the courtroom of the Thomas Getty Building, and 65 members entered quilts yielding a show of 114 entries. Since then our guild has produced 6 quilt shows, every other year, with our 7th show celebrating our 15th anniversary coming this October 8th and 9th of 2010. We also hold a “Silent Auction” of quilted items and boutique items on the years we have no quilt show.
Since our inception, the guild has hosted two meetings for the state guild Quilters of South Carolina. The first was in March of 2001 at McBryde Hall at Winthrop University, and the second in February 2008 at the Baxter Hood Center in Rock Hill.
We are now and have always been a community focused group, and continue to support our chosen charity, The Children’s Attention Home of Rock Hill. Members generously contribute their time to create cuddle quilts, tote bags and other needed items to the Home on a monthly basis.
Today our guild boasts a total of 165 members. We still meet the third Monday of each month, currently at Chandler Place in Rock Hill. Monthly meetings vary to include lectures and demonstrations, followed by our business meeting and member Show n’ Tell. In June and December we gather for a covered dish meal.
We’ve seen many changes over the years, but one thing remains constant – our love of quilting, and our desire to create, learn new skills, and stretch our capabilities. We hope to continue our quest for at least another 15 years!
Statement of Purpose: The purpose of the York County Quilters is to provide a guild to encourage, teach and promote the growth of this art through fellowship, monthly meetings, presentations, demonstrations and planned activities for those who share a love of quilts and quilting.
Submitted by,
Joyce Walton
YCQ 2010 Historian