Historical Quilt Unveiled at Moira Cemetery Memorial Day

Centre Hastings Council was in attendance at the Moira Cemetery Memorial Day event in Moira on Sunday, June 2nd,2024. Both council members and community members expressed their enthusiasm for the recently revealed frame quilt, which was generously donated last year.

Kelley (McInroy) Hanniman, was the proud owner of this exquisite quilt. Kelley brought it to the Moira Cemetery Memorial Day festivities last year June 11th, 2023. Helen McInroy, Kelley's relative, possessed remarkable sewing and quilting skills, which were likely honed out of necessity.

During the years between 1933 and 1940, Helen McInroy, in collaboration with the United Church Women (UCW) of Moira, crafted this quilt as a means of raising funds for the Moira United Church. Community members contributed $1 each to have their names inscribed on the quilt. The quilt boasts 20 stars, with eight names adorning each star. In total, they managed to raise an impressive sum of $180, which held significant value during the 1930s. Subsequently, the quilt was put up for auction, and Kelley's grandfather emerged as the highest bidder, ensuring that the quilt remained within the McInroy family.

Kelley, along with the Moira Community members (Jim & Diane Haggerty, Harold Reid), worked together with the Centre Hastings staff and Council to organize the showcasing of the historic quilt at Moira Church/Hall. This initiative seeks to offer a chance for all to admire and explore the deep history preserved in this extraordinary artwork.

The quilt is elegantly exhibited at Moira Hall, where it will be preserved and showcased, showcasing our local ancestors and local history.

 (Councillor Kerby,Councillor Brant, Mayor Deline, Deputy Mayor Sandford & Councillor McLaughlin in attendance for the quilt unveiling at Moira Cemetery Memorial Day).

 (Councillor Kerby, Diane Haggerty, Councillor Brant, Mayor Deline, Deborah Bailey, Deputy Mayor Sandford & Councillor McLaughlin in attendance for the quilt unveiling at Moira Cemetery Memorial Day).

More information & photos can be found on the Moira Facebook