National Quilt Museum

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{{Infobox museum

| name = National Quilt Museum

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| image = National Quilt Museum.jpg

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| coordinates = {{Coord|37.08935|N|88.59718|W|source:placeopedia|display=inline,title}}

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| established = {{start date|1991|04|25|df=y}}

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| location = Paducah, Kentucky

| type = Art museum

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| founder = Bill and Meredith Schroeder

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| ceo = Matt Collinsworth

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| curator = Rachael L. Baar

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| website = {{URL|https://quiltmuseum.org/}}

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The National Quilt Museum, located in Paducah, Kentucky, is an art museum that exhibits fiber art and quilting from around the world. The museum is recognized by USA Today as one of the world's top quilt displays.{{cite news|last1=Bleiberg|first1=Larry|title=10 best places to see amazing quilts|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2014/04/10/quilt-museum-fiber-arts-textile/7545963/|access-date=March 11, 2015|work=USA Today|date=November 4, 2014}}{{cite news|title=National Quilt Museum honors fabric art|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/19/ky-natlquiltmuseum-idUSnPn2c5mtT+81+PRN20141119|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150311203538/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/19/ky-natlquiltmuseum-idUSnPn2c5mtT+81+PRN20141119|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2015|access-date=March 11, 2015|work=Reuters|date=July 24, 2012}} This textile museum supports local and expert quilters by providing workshops and other educational activities.Linda Elisabeth LaPinta, Kentucky Quilts and Quiltmakers: Three Centuries of Creativity, Community, and Commerce (University Press of Kentucky, 2023) [https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.php?id=60243 online review of this book].

The National Quilt Museum was established by Bill and Meredith Schroeder of Paducah and opened to the public on April 25, 1991. It is the only museum dedicated to contemporary quilts and quiltmakers. The main gallery is devoted to a rotating selection from the museum's collection of over 600 quilts. Its two other galleries exhibit rotating fiber art exhibits throughout the year. Its founding executive director was Victoria Faoro.{{cite book |title=MAQS Quilts: The Founders Collection |date=2001 |publisher=Museum of the American Quilter's Society |isbn=1574327801 |page=9}} The museum also features a traveling exhibit that is made up of quilts and fiber art.

In addition, the museum also offers educational opportunities for adults and kids at all skill levels. In 1993 the museum hosted the first African American Quilters Forum and in 1995 the museum developed "Gatherings", an exhibit and conference celebrating quilt documentation projects completed across the country.{{cite book |title=MAQS Quilts: The Founders Collection |date=2001 |publisher=Museum of the American Quilter's Society |isbn=1574327801 |page=136}}

The museum was honored in May 2008 when the U.S. Congress designated it the National Quilt Museum of the United States.{{cite web | url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2008-02-12/html/CREC-2008-02-12-pt1-PgH828.htm | title=Congressional Record, Volume 154 Issue 23 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008) }} May Louise Zumwalt, former executive director of the museum, said "Though it does not mean we will receive national funding, it does recognize that we are a quilt museum with national significance." This designation brings additional attention and helps increase the number of visitors. The museum averages 40,000 visitors per year.

In July 2021, Matt Collinsworth became chief executive officer of the museum.{{Cite web |last=OPERLE |first=DEREK |title=Quilt Museum names new CEO |url=https://www.paducahsun.com/news/quilt-museum-names-new-ceo/article_6645d1e4-b9a1-56e3-9f09-16df43ffd066.html |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=The Paducah Sun |date=May 28, 2021 |language=en}}