Historic ‘Red Cross’ Quilt Unveiled–Original Comes to Visit!

Thanks to the organizers of Chestermere Art Days the Chestermere Historical Foundation was able to showcase not only the lovely new replica quilt made lovingly by the Chestermere Lakeside Quilters, but the original 1917 quilt which was created right here in Chestermere to raise funds for Veterans of WWI.
Present owners of the original quilt, Joe and Wanda Bowhay of Elkton, AB, travelled down on Friday September 27th with the quilt. They were very pleased to have been asked to bring the quilt for display and to be part of the arts celebration. Joe explained to those gathered for the unveiling, that to the best of his knowledge, the quilt was made in approximately 1917 by women of the Chestermere area. He is quite sure that his Great Grandma, Mary Jane Brown, wife of Robert (Mel) Brown, was one as she was involved in many local women’s organizations. The Browns homesteaded on the SW ¼ of Sec 22, Twp 24, Rge 28, W4M. (½ mile South of Hwy 1 on the East side of Rainbow Rd. today).
It is thought that, for a fee, one could have their name embroidered in one of the white squares. The quilt is 96″ x 70″ and made in a pattern of alternating white and red squares. Upon completion, the quilt was auctioned off and the funds raised were used to support WW1 veterans. Robert (Mel) Brown placed the highest bid of $300. The quilt has remained in the Brown family ever since. There are 196 names on the quilt including those of the entire Brown family and many other recognizable names from the area. His name ‘M Brown’ is embroidered on it, along with his parents and siblings. ‘R Brown’ is Robert, ‘Mrs Brown’ is Mary Jane Brown, ‘C Brown’ is Catherine, ‘M.D. Carlyle’ is Ethel Brown and ‘W Brown’ is Winnifred. Joe first became aware of the quilt in 1972, following Ethel’s death in 1971, while helping Grandpa Mel ( only surviving son of Robert (Mel) and Mary Jane Brown) move from his Briar Hill home in Calgary to a seniors’ facility. Joe then lost track of it for the next 30+ years. To his knowledge, the quilt was rarely, if ever, on display and my inquiries over the years to many family members were met with bewilderment as they either didn’t know or didn’t remember the quilt he was describing. It wasn’t until 2004 when Wanda Bowhay received a call from Joe’s Aunt Elizabeth Townsend (affectionately known as Auntie Shortie), Mel & Ethel’s youngest child, who presented the Bowhay’s with this heirloom for safe keeping. The quilt is registered both with the Royal Alberta Museum under the Alberta Quilt Discovery Project #0041.
A number of residents of Chestermere area, in particular Joyce Hodgson, were pleased to see family names of relatives and other neighbours who were living in Chestermere at that time.
The replica was made by first, Wilma des Roches, hand writing each name on the white quilt pieces. All Guild members then embroidered the names in red on the white squares. Susie Pelletier, Wilma Des Roche, Pat Hanevich, and Carole Engel took on the task of sewing the quilt together and doing the final stitching.
It is hoped that the replica will soon be on display in Chestermere. Watch for news on the Chestermere Historical Foundation Webpage www.chestermerehistory.org and if you are interested in joining the Chestermere Lakeside Quilt Guild you can call or email Teena Spanko 403.285.8309 rtspanko@shaw.ca