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     The first meeting in January 1936 was sponsored by the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences, predecessor to today’s Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC). The club started with eleven members. GVQC was organized by Mrs. Gladys Reid Holton, curator of History of the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences in the 1950’s and 1960’s. 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 the foundation on which today’s traditions are built.

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

     In 2002 the Rochester Museum and Science Center RMSC Quilt Project reported that Genesee Valley Quilt Club partnered with The RMSC during the late 1990’s and into the 2000’s when club members volunteered over 1000 hours to assist in the restoration and documentation of quilts collections at the Rochester Museum and Science Center.  This included club members creating a replica of the Susan B. Anthony quilt as a gift to the Susan B. Anthony House.

     Besides helping others, the club has felt its most important activity is displaying quilts. Since 1936, GVQC has hosted or participated in quilt exhibits. Early displays were held at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. In recent years, the biennial quilt show is held at Rochester Institute of Technology.

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