FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- As a site of two battles during the War of 1812, Sackets Harbor holds a rich history, not only in the North Country, but nationwide.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of when the village, which borders Lake Ontario, became a major base of operations for the U.S. Army and Navy for the duration of the war.
As part of the festivities recognizing the bicentennial event, the Great Lakes Seaway Trail National Scenic Byway's 12th Annual Quilt Show will focus on period-appropriate designs.
"The 'cot-to-coffin-sized' quilts -- made to cover a sleeping or deceased Soldier -- promise a most unique and dramatic display, along with the interpreters in period costume lending to the 1812 authentic atmosphere throughout our … community," explained Lynette Lundy-Beck, quilt show manager.
The quilts, measuring 30 inches by 70 inches, are a historically accurate size. In the 1800s, many quilts were designed to fit on a Soldier's cot or, to be buried with a Soldier in his coffin.
Four Fort Drum employees will exhibit their artistic abilities at the show, March 17-18 in Sackets Harbor.
One of those employees, Jill Fraczek, a resource management employee with Fort Drum's U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, said she was initially hesitant about showcasing her talents.
Although Fraczek, who is president of the Fort Drum Going to Pieces Quilt Guild, has been sewing for decades, she has been quilting for only five years.
She changed her mind about displaying a quilt when, last summer, Teresa Mitchell approached the guild members, asking if they would be interested in submitting quilts for the upcoming show.
Until her death Jan. 24, Mitchell served as president and CEO of the Seaway Trail Corporation and the Seaway Trail Foundation. She also was the creator of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Quilt Show.
After a successful sales pitch and a little encouragement, Mitchell had convinced a few women in the guild to "sew" forth and create 1812-era quilts for the annual event.
"I had no intention of making a quilt until (Mitchell) came to speak to us, and she talked me into it," Fraczek explained. "I never thought I was 'showmanship' quality. (Mitchell) gave me confidence to show (my quilt)."
At one point last year, Fraczek gave up on the project. Upon Mitchell's passing, Fraczek said she had a realization, noting "(Mitchell) gave everything to this show, (so) I'm going to finish my quilt."
It took her about two weeks to make her quilt, which she titled "For Teresa."
Fraczek chose earthy tones -- browns and creams -- for her quilt. Those colors, she explained, are period accurate and intended for use by men.
Fraczek's quilt stays true to form with a red center square, a color that represents home or the heart. The red square also is popular among "log cabin" designs, she noted.
Terry Buckley, who also will submit a quilt for the show, said her inspiration came from her family and heritage.
Buckley, who serves as the Arts and Crafts Center manager, has been quilting for about eight years.
She decided to name her quilt "Family Pieces," because in 1812, the quilt would have been made from fabric pieces that were no longer usable for anything but a quilt, she explained.
"It's like having your family right there with you, or wrapping yourself in your family," she said.
Her design, known as "log cabin," took her about two months to stitch together and is typical of the period.
"We kind of take our history for granted because we live here," Buckley said. "(Quilting) is how women interacted with the Soldiers."
For the backing, she used an old sheep wool blanket her mother had given her years ago.
"(The blanket) used up something that was old, that could possibly be something that they might have had back then," Buckley said, noting it gives more meaning to the name she chose for her quilt.
In addition to a quilt, Terry also sewed a period costume that will be on display during the show.
New to the area, Cathy Ferran, Army Community Service director, decided to enter the show as a way to learn more about the North Country.
"I love to quilt … and I've really gotten into the history aspect of quilts," said Ferran, who moved here in November. "What I find so unique is how important quilts were in history, especially for these Soldiers."
Although this will be her first show, Ferran, who titled her quilt "A Soldier's Bunk," has been quilting for more than 20 years.
"Now I'm tying this passion I have for quilting with history. I have a newfound desire to know more about how quilting is very tied into (history)," she said.
In the center of her quilt, a medallion is displayed, which she explained was popular during that time period.
Mary O'Keefe, training technician with the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, is a member of three quilting groups and has been quilting for 15 years.
Because she is a retired sergeant first class, her submission takes on a personal meaning. O'Keefe noted she feels it's important for people to remember how quilts have influenced Soldiers throughout the years.
O'Keefe will submit her quilt, "My Brother's Keeper," in the show because, "during the time period, everyone had to take care of their own," she explained.
"I tried to pick fabrics from my stash, as they would have back then," O'Keefe explained, noting it was common for quilters in 1812 to use leftover fabrics for their quilts.
O'Keefe designed most of the quilt herself, except for the star pattern, which she had from a previous project.
Although she had been working on the quilt on and off for the past year, O'Keefe said she took about five weeks to finish the project.
She said the history of the Soldier's quilt was interesting.
"We tend to forget the Soldiers of the War of 1812 or the Civil War didn't have the luxuries that our Soldiers today have," O'Keefe said. "Whatever they had with them, they had to carry."
"We are thrilled to have Fort Drum represented at the show by these quilters, and we are personally touched that Jill, who had heard Teresa speak about this unique event … (was) inspired to complete her quilt in Teresa's honor," noted Kara Lynn Dunn, Great Lakes Seaway Trail publicist.
The quilt show is not a conventional quilt competition that examines every stitch and square, Dunn explained. The show is intended to celebrate quilting as a cultural heritage activity, encouraging quilters of all ages and skills to enter.
Twenty-five quilts will be selected from the show to travel with a Great Lakes Seaway Trail War of 1812 Bicentennial educational exhibit. The exhibit will travel to other quilt shows, museums and other sites in the U.S. and Canada from 2012-2014. The quilts also will be accompanied by 30-inch by 70-inch interpretive panels telling about life during the war.
Quilts will be displayed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 17 and 18 at three historic venues -- Great Lakes Seaway Trail Discovery Center, Sackets Harbor Mansion and Samuel F. Hooker House Arts Center -- all on West Main Street in Sackets Harbor.
In addition to the quilts, the event will feature costumed re-enactors and quilters, and demonstrations.
Admission to the show is $5, which benefits the Seaway Trail Foundation.
For additional information on the quilt show, visit www.seawaytrail.com/quilting, or call 646-1000.
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