Collinsville Quilt Walk

Something like a quilt walk is not something that usually gets me extremely excited. Sure, interesting...but excitement? Nah. That is not the case for me, at this years Quilt Walk in Collinsville, Alabama. This year there is something very special that does have me excited. One of the homes featured in a walking tour at the quilt walk is that of my great grandparents. My late grandmother was born in this home and grew up there, as did my three uncles (all born there) and my mother. While my mother was born in a hospital, she did grow up in the home. My grandfather died young in life. My mother was six when she lost her father. With a family of four children in the great depression, and elderly parents who were beginning to need assistance, it was the easiest choice for my grandmother to make to move in with her parents. Over my lifetime, I have heard so many wonderful and funny stories that date back to that old house. Stories not only from my mother but her brothers, but my great aunts and uncles and up to third generation cousins have ties to this house.

I have many fond memories of the old homestead myself. When I think of the home place, I think of a front porch with wooden railing around it's edges. I think of a homemade porch swing that creaked when it moved. Wooden boards underneath foot were painted a light faded blue, as was the ceiling. The house was all white, with the most wonderful rusted tin roof. It made for wonderful sounds when it rained. Sitting outside there were other sounds that filled the air. That was katydids on a hot summer day, a passing train that flew down the track just a block away and "country dogs barking at one another. It really was "home" to every person in my maternal extended family.

When my uncle, the last remaining family member living in the home passed away a decade ago, the house was sold, after being in the family for 70 years. It was a bittersweet day. The house, with no one living under it's roof had become a burden. It was time to sell.

Many times I along with my mother and other family members have driven by the old home, wondering what memories were now being created under it's roof. Wondering if it still looked the same inside. Did it's new owners keep the integrity of the home, or had they gutted it's inside.

Now our questions can be answered. With a walking tour at the quilt walk. For $10.00 going towards the library fund for the tiny city of Collinsville (it was a big day when Collinsville got a red light!) patrons can take the guided walking tour of a few homes. My family will be there in full force, each curious to see, each wanting to relive a bit of our history and recall fond memories between its walls.

Perhaps you aren't as interested as I in an old house, but maybe you will be interested in a historical quilts, crafts and other historic homes. It can all be found at the annual quilt walk!

http://www.collinsvillequiltwalk.com/ (for more information)

September 26-27

Collinsville, Alabama

(256) 524-2323