Club History

Genesee Valley Quilt Club (GVQC) is one of the oldest continually meeting quilt clubs in America.

The first meeting, in January 1936, was sponsored by the Rochester Museum of Arts & Sciences (predecessor to today's Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC)). The club started with 11 members.

GVQC was organized by Mrs.Gladys Reid Holton, curator of History of the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences in the 1950s and 1960s. She retired from the RMSC in 1976.

In 1935, the club mission statement was to unite individual experience and thus be able to give inspiration to those who would like to make better quilts. The club motto "Help One Another" was foundation on which today's traditions were built.

"Help One Another", extends beyond the borders of the club. The GVQC has a long history of community service. During World War II, quilts, toys and monetary donations were made to the British War Relief, the Red Cross and Russian War Relief. Today, through its Love & Comfort Project members extend a hand to those in need.

Besides helping others, the club's most important activities are displaying quilts and quilt conservation.

Since 1936, GVQC has hosted or participated in quilt exhibits.

During the late 1990's and 2000's club members assisted in the restoration and documentation of quilts collections at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, Genesee Country Museum and The Susan B. Anthony House.

Today, GVQC hosts a quilt festival on a biennial basis.