Stitching Russell City Stories

 

Telling the story of Russell City is a challenge. There is little physical evidence remaining, both in the form of structures and artifacts. By relying on memories and photographs from those who called Russell City home and combining history and art, we can tell the story of this community in a different way. Memories may conflict with the realities of the place, but together they inform the history of this community. 

 

Through deliberate selections of fabric, shapes, and imagery, master quilter Marion Coleman has created a unique interpretation of Russell City’s history. She used newspaper articles, photographs, oral histories conducted by historians, and her own personal interviews to stitch this series of story quilts. The ultimate result is a colorful representation of the unique history of Russell City.