~ The Kentucky Quilt Project Inc.

The Kentucky Quilt Project, Inc. was formed in early 1981 by Shelly Zegart, Eleanor Bingham Miller, Eunice Ray, and consultant Kathy Christopherson, following the initiative of quilt dealer Bruce Mann who died before its implementation. It was the first statewide quilt documentation project in the United States, aimed at photographing and recording the histories of approximately 177,000 Kentucky quilts owned by local families over 12 documentation days between 1981 and 1982. The project raised awareness of the cultural value of these textiles and inspired similar efforts in 34 states during the 1980s.[1][2][3][4]