"Hexagonal Star" Quilt, c. 1880
Pieced cotton, 91 x 76-1/2 inches
Collection, The Kentucky Museum, Bowling Green

Mary (Barton) Alexander was born January 11, 1828 in Barren County, Kentucky. After marrying James M. Alexander in 1849, Mary moved to Casey Fork in Cumberland County to live the life of a farmer's wife. By 1880, the Alexander household included five boarders and one servant. Attributed to Alexander, the optical illusion quilt shown here is composed of diamond- and triangular-shaped pieces arranged to form hexagonal stars. The shapes also appear as clusters of tumbling blocks. Alexander, who likely learned the art of quiltmaking from her mother, cut up old shirts and dresses to use in her creation. Mary Alexander died in Marrowbone, Kentucky on May 13, 1904.

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November 13, 2001
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