WILLIAMSBURG — Visit Williamsburg recently announced the launch of The Great American Birthday Quilt Project in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday.
The nationwide event invites participants to “stitch their story” into a monumental quilt that will celebrate the country’s past, present and future by joining quilt workshops in select cities, submitting quilt squares from home or donating materials that will be incorporated into the quilt, Visit Williamsburg said.
The collaborative effort will be led by Steve Prince, Director of Engagement and Distinguished Artist in Residence at the Muscarelle Museum of Art at William & Mary, in partnership with Visit Williamsburg, the destination marketing organization for Yorktown, Jamestown and Williamsburg.
“We are inviting people not just to submit a quilt square, but to reflect — to leave a piece of themselves in a quilt that will tell America’s story for generations,” said Prince. “Like America, quilting is layered, collaborative, and expressive. Each square holds a voice, a memory, a dream — stitched into the national narrative with shared threads of hope.”
No sewing skills are required to participate, as submissions for both sewn and glued quilt squares will be accepted.
“We are proud to partner with Steve Prince on such a meaningful project that invites people from every corner of the nation to create something that will continue to inspire and captivate visitors for generations,” said Edward Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Williamsburg. “As a historical destination, the upcoming 250 Commemoration milestone gives us a unique opportunity to not only encourage collaboration through our quilt initiative, but also inspire people across the country to visit The Historic Triangle, where America’s Journey began.”
Panel submissions for The Great American Birthday Quilt will be accepted from now until Nov. 30, with final assembly taking place in Spring 2026. The completed quilt will debut in Spring 2026 and be on display at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, following a public exhibition at historic sites across the nation.
For more details on how to find a quilt workshop in your area, participate and submit a quilt square from home, visit visitwilliamsburg.com/america250-birthday-quilt/
