The Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum

06/13/2026

Bicentennial Cross Stitch Quilt
Dated 1976
Unknown maker, collected in Pennsylvania
81" x 94", hand cross-stitched, hand quilted

This Bicentennial quilt was made from a commercially available Bucilla “Jiffy” cross-stitch kit ( #1615), titled Americana Eagle, adapted from the Liberty Quilt in the Smithsonian Institution. The design features patriotic imagery including an eagle, stars, florals, and a basket, worked in red and blue cross-stitch.

Quilts commemorating the Bicentennial reflect both patriotic celebration and reflection on American history. Many women chose quiltmaking for its strong connection to a traditional women’s art form. Across the country, communities created quilts to record local history, families, and shared experiences.

This is just one example of the many patterns created for our 200th anniversary. It will be interesting to see what quilt makers will be creating as we celebrate our 250th anniversary. This work and more are featured at the Musuem’s Summer Exhibit-

A Patchwork Past:
Telling America’s Story through Quilts
Now through September 6th, 2026
Thursdays through Sundays ~ 11 AM - 4PM

06/13/2026

Final Day of Summer Camp!

Today we made apple butter, toured the museum, spent some time with our buddy Max who shared artifacts from ancient Egypt with us, and more!

Thanks for a great week everyone!!!!

06/12/2026

Camp 1776 Day 4!

We spent the day learning about local history with Paula at the Historical Society and then a walking tour of Meadville- including Diamond Park and the Chamber of Commerce! After that we talked about the Keystone View Company and made our own stereoviews.

06/11/2026

We’re up to something!!! Stay tuned!

06/10/2026

Day three of Camp 1776!

We made our way to Bicentennial Park for a tour of the David Mead Log Cabin and an intro to Crawford County History! From there, a nature hike on Bessemer Trail, butter making, and learning to play croquet!!!!

06/10/2026

Day two of Camp 1776 took place at Greendale Cemetery where our adventurers completed a scavenger hunt among the cemetery’s 21,000+ residents, went on a walking tour with Historical Society Executive Director, Josh Sherretts, and learned how to clean gravestones. It was a fun day in the graveyard!

06/09/2026

Camp 1776 started off to a bang! John and Cynda Sites taught us about colonial living, period games, and even dressed up a few of our campers!

06/01/2026

Did you know a U.S. Supreme Court Justice built his home right here in Meadville?

Say "local history" and most people picture dusty binders of town council minutes. Our county's past tells a different story, one that runs straight through the spine of American history.

Henry Baldwin served as Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1830 to 1844. He shaped federal law from the bench in Washington, then came home to Meadville. His house still stands. We steward it. 🏛

And then there's John Brown. The radical abolitionist whose raid on Harpers Ferry helped ignite the Civil War lived in Crawford County for roughly ten years. He walked these roads, worked this land, and called this place home for a decade.

A Supreme Court Justice. A man who helped change the course of a nation. Both rooted here, in our county.

"Local" is a geographic label. It is not a measure of significance. Crawford County history is American history, and we are proud to preserve it for the next generation of students, researchers, and curious neighbors.

05/10/2026

05/02/2026

It was great to host our friends from The Learning Center K-8 School for Arbor Day celebrations!