On a sweltering hot Saturday in late July, quilters and Quilt Hop enthusiasts stayed cool in the air conditioned respite of the Sam Rayburn House Museum. The museum, in its third year of participation in the Quilt Hop, showcased quilts from the collection of the Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site in Paris, Texas. 

The event, held on July 28, included several locations in Bonham in addition to “Mr. Sam’s” home. Quilt Hop sites included the Bonham Public Library, Bonham Visitor Center, Bonham Civic Center (Armory), Creative Arts Center, Fannin County Historical Commission, Fannin County Museum of History and the Sam Rayburn Museum. Each location provided various types of quilting demonstrations and displays. 

Visitors to the Rayburn house enjoyed historic and modern quilts, quilt tours and a presentation. Staff from the Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site in Paris gave a presentation, “Diversity of Quilt making.”

Children enjoyed quilt craft activities and everyone enjoyed free popcorn and cool drinks. The Fannin County 4-H Club displayed a quilt made by members that was entered into the 4-H Quilt Challenge, a contest in which 4-Hers used their sewing skills to create a baby quilt using provided fabric. After the judging, quiltswere donated to a charity organization.The Fannin County 4-H group donated their quilt to the Fannin Pregnancy Care Center. The modern 4-H quilt served as a contrast to the historic quilts on display in the Rayburn home.

Quilt-themed tours were provided by museum staff. The tours focused on the museum’s quilt collection. Each of the beds on the second floor of the house was covered with two quilts: one quilt from the Rayburn collection and one from the Sam Bell Maxey House.The tour guides first discussed the Maxey quilt, and then turned one corner of the quilt to reveal the Rayburn house quilt, beneath. Visitors learned about the quilt’s age, construction, pattern, fabric and style.

Textiles on loan from the Sam Bell Maxey House included the quilt patterns:Double Wedding Ring, Turkey Track and Grandmother’s Flower Garden, among others. While little is known about the maker and exact date of construction for these quilts, it is known they were Maxey family heirlooms.The Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site, like Sam Rayburn’s home, is a historic house museum administered by the Texas Historical Commission.

The history of the home begins with its construction by Confederate General Sam Bell Maxey in 1868. The impressive Italianate style structure became a social center for the Paris community upon its completion. Beginning in 1874, Maxey went served two terms as a U.S. Senator. Sam Bell Maxey Long inherited the home from his great uncle in 1908. He and his wife Lala extensively remodeled the home in 1911. The home transferred to the State of Texas in 1976. It opened for tours in 1980.Today, the home interprets the life of a prominent Paris family from the late19thto the mid-20th century. Visitors receive guided tours of the house which contains original furniture, clothing and decorative arts.

The next major event scheduled event at the Sam Rayburn House Museum is Farming Heritage Day. The annual event, held on the grounds of the site is scheduled for Saturday, September 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event explores the history of farming at Sam Rayburn’s home through hands-on demonstrations and activities. Plan now to attend this free, family-friendly event.

The Sam Rayburn House Museum tells the real story of Sam Rayburn, one of the most powerful and influential politicians of the 20th century, in his authentic 1916 home. Preserved as a period time capsule, the two-story home contains all original Rayburn furnishings. The Sam Rayburn House Museum is one of 20 historic attractions operated by the Texas Historical Commission. For more information visit www.visitsamrayburnhouse.com