NEW BERN – The Hundred County Quilt is now on display at Craven Community College (Craven CC) in a continuation of its 23-year tour across the state. Created in honor of the opening of the N.C. Women’s and N.C. Children’s Hospitals on September 8, 2001, this quilt represents all 100 counties in North Carolina that are served by state hospitals.
The Hundred County Quilt exhibit opened in Craven's Godwin Memorial Library, located on the second floor of Barker Hall, on Sept. 10, and will remain on display at no cost through October.
In the wake of World War II, North Carolina faced a critical need for improved healthcare, with many young men rejected from military service due to health issues. Recognizing this urgent necessity, the establishment of a state hospital became paramount. North Carolina Memorial Hospital opened its doors on Sept. 2, 1952, in Chapel Hill, marking the beginning of a healthcare transformation that would ultimately lead to the creation of five hospitals.
Joy Javits led the Hundred County Quilt project to honor the contributions of all counties as the hospitals expanded their services. The quilt, measuring 18’ x 9’ and weighing 18 pounds, features unique blocks representing each of North Carolina's 100 counties. The finished design was created by the hands of 125 talented quilters, including some from the local Twin Rivers Quilters Guild. It serves not only as a work of art but also as a collective voice of the state’s women and children, celebrating their creativity and stories.
Join us in celebrating this extraordinary piece of history that has brought together countless individuals for over two decades!