I have been working with the quilt show for 34 years. I moved to Cookeville in 1964 with my family for my husband Sherwell to take a job with Tennessee Tech as a professor. I stayed home with our children for several years. In 1987 I was hired to be Senior Center Director in Algood. I was trained by Judy Roberson who worked at Upper Cumberland Development District. I learned that fund raising is a necessary part of the job. Judy suggested that I should choose some activity I enjoyed to raise funds. I became interested in quilts earlier since my mother-in-law was an avid quilter. A group of ladies had been quilting at the senior center to raise funds forcenter. They influenced me a great deal with their quilting and story-telling two days a week. I decided that a show would be a fun way to raise funds and highlight the art of quilting.

Mildred Locke, (quilter, quilt show owner and organizer of Tennessee Valley Quilters Association representing several states and director of quilt shows ) graciously invited us to her home to encourage and advise us. We came away excited and planned the first show in 1988. Our excitement over the sharing of beautiful quilts from across the Upper Cumberland kept us continuing over the years.

Thanks to the Tenn. Arts Commission providing arts grants which helped to pay directors through the years and to local churches for space and financial support from local businesses we have continued to grow. We have the longest history of any quilt show in the state. We have many participants from other states.

The Quilt Show Board is comprised of 16 hard working, talented people under the capable leadership of John Allen, Director, Branda Dishman, Senior Center Director and Keith Morrison, Algood City Manager.