Trip Around The World
Block Number: 57MARION DAVIS LIBRARY JOINS QUILT TRAIL
By Terry Wilson
Friday, September 10, 2010 saw a beautiful early Autumn morning dawn upon the Marion Davis Branch of the McDowell Public Library in Old Fort. While the leaves along Mill Creek are still green and the air is still warm, there was just the smallest hint of the approaching season lingering in the morning air.
By approximately 9 a.m. a group of library patrons and supporters had gathered to witness the latest additions to the library, this time additions to the library building itself. Two quilt blocks, “Sunbonnet Sue Visits the Library” and “Trip Around the World” were being placed on the Mitchell Street side of the building to greet visitors as they entered the building.
According to Lillian Daughtridge, manager of the library, these two designs were chosen by a group, consisting of Jean Buchanan, Harry and Nada Carrol, Betty Hensley, Millie Banks, Hazel Stine, Jan Griffin and Debbie Smith. The design “Sunbonnet Sue Visits the Library” was chosen to honor all the children who regularly use the library and its services. The proximity of the library to Old Fort Elementary School ensures a regular flow of children to the library and all it offers.
The second design, “Trip Around the World,” was chosen by the group to highlight the fact that reading is indeed a journey, to places near and far, to time past, present, or future. The basic primary color scheme was chosen to add an eye-catching appeal to the blocks.
These two beautiful quilt blocks were constructed and mounted by Mike Lucas of the McDowell Quilt Trail Committee. Kathy Brendle and Martha McCauley, also dedicated volunteers of the quilt trail, applied the bright and vibrant colors.
Jill Lucas, chairperson of the quilt trail committee, welcomed those present and spoke of the library’s past and the message conveyed by the quilt blocks. She noted that these two blocks are numbers 56 and 57 in the order of installation. She then presented Certificates of Authenticity to Lillian Daughtridge and Elizabeth House, director of McDowell County Public Library.
These two blocks decorate a building with a special history. The branch itself is named for Marion Davis, a former resident of the Old Fort community. Even though Mr. Davis was forced to move away from Old Fort years ago, he told family members that “he never left Old Fort, in his heart.”
Mr. Davis’ daughter and son-in-law, Max and Marion Butler of Shelby, chose to honor Mr. Davis by donating money for the purchase of the land where the library now sits. In 1997 ground was broken at the site with many local dignitaries in attendance; and in August of 1998 a special dedication ceremony was held to formally open the library to the community.
With an average visitor count exceeding 33,000 visitors a year since opening, over 350,000 people have visited the beautiful stone and wooden structure. Now, those who visit will be greeted by two quilt blocks created with pride and displayed for all to see.
