Text Box: In the early 1980’s, Betty Bridges ran a quilt shop in Webb City. Betty gave all types of classes. When she decided to close her shop, she invited several of her loyal customers to her farm near Purdy, MO, for a meeting. These 12 women decided to continue meeting together in each other’s homes each month. After several months it was decided to find a name for the group and elect officers and become official. Text Box: In October 1985, at a meeting at Betty’s farm, Town & Country Quilters Guild was born. The group continued to meet in each other’s homes every October for the next 4 years. As the group increased in number, they met at various places until finally they started meeting at the First United Methodist Church at 4th and Byers, Joplin, Mo. In 2008, the group moved to its present location at the First Presbyterian Church, 6th and Pearl, Joplin, MO.

Betty Bridges Lamberson

January 2009
History of the GuildText Box: Founding Members Loma Oxendine, Maxine Miller, Louise Bailey, Betty Bridges Lamberson, Helen Haralson, Lillie Eaton, Bonnie Moss

Town & Country Quilters were in the mist of a Bi-Annual Show staged at Memorial Hall when Betty Bridges and Helen Harralson spotted  one of the Vendors selling the pattern "Missouri Centennial Quilt 1821-1921" by Historic Rothanbargar House, copyright 1990. D.A.R. is on the pattern.  The pattern consisted of a photocopy of a sketched rubbing of the quilt made about 1920.  They thought it would be a challenge and fun for the group and would be a good logo for the group. 
Text Box: TOWN & COUNTRY QUILTERS MISSOURI PRIDE QUILT

Since Betty owned a Quilt Shop and was a Quilt Teacher, she redrafted the pattern to make it workable.  She then organized and supervised the making of the quilt.  She added the blocks around the center "State Medallion". The group made the blocks, and hand-quilted most of the quilt. The County Seats are marked with a tie.

The Quilt hung in a State Quilt Show in the State Capitol Rotunda, Jefferson City, MO May 18-21, 1995. It was displayed at every Town & Country Quilt Show.  In November 2006 it hung at the Booneslick Trail Quilt Show, Columbia, Mo

The names of the blocks around the center beginning in the upper left-hand corner are: Town & Country Logo, Dresden plate, Lancaster Rose, Mexican Star, North Carolina Lilly, T & C, Mo Puzzle, Mo Star, St Louis Star, Seth Thomas Rose, T & C, Ozark Star, Blazing St. Louis Star, Mo Hearts & Flowers, Ozark Sunflower, T & C, Mo Rose, St Louis Star, Ozark Trail, Mo Star Multi Color.

Now Betty is working with Wheaton Depot Museum in Wheaton, MO.  She has space for the quilt to be on display and will take very good care of it.  As some of you know the Quilt was on display in Wheaton for the December 13 Grand Opening.  Many enjoyed the quilt.  There is an agreement with Town & Country Quilters for the quilt to be displayed in Wheaton until the 1st of April when we will bring it back to be displayed at our Quilt Show in April.