As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, join the Petaluma Museum for a powerful exhibition exploring how quilts have helped shape, reflect, and challenge American democracy for more than 200 years.

Featuring historic and contemporary quilts, The Fabric of Democracy examines themes of freedom, justice, identity, community, environmental stewardship, and civic participation. These extraordinary works reveal how ordinary people have used needle and thread to express their hopes, values, and visions for the future of our nation.

The exhibition will also feature Common Threads: A Community Quilt Project, inviting local residents to contribute their own stories and aspirations as part of a collaborative quilt inspired by our annual July 4 Wish Wall.

Join us as we reflect on our shared history, celebrate community voices, and imagine what comes next.

Exhibit Opening:  Thursday, June 25,  6-8 PM
Petaluma Historical Library & Museum
20 4th Street (Corner of 4th & B Street)
Admission Free,  Reservations Requested

Join the Petaluma Museum for the opening celebration of The Fabric of Democracy: Quilts and the Power of the People, a landmark exhibition exploring how quilts have expressed civic ideals, personal stories, and social change throughout American history.

Presented as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the exhibition features historic and contemporary quilts that illuminate the ways individuals and communities have used textile art to advocate for justice, build community, preserve memory, and imagine a better future.

The evening will include:

• First look at the exhibition
• Remarks from the curators
• Meet-and-greet with participating artists and lenders
• Light refreshments
• An opportunity to participate in Common Threads: A Community Quilt Project, a collaborative quilt inspired by the Museum’s annual July 4 Wish Wall

From abolition and suffrage to civil rights, environmental advocacy, and contemporary community-based projects, The Fabric of Democracy highlights the enduring power of quilts to tell stories, inspire dialogue, and connect people across generations.

Celebrate the opening of this unique exhibition and join us in reflecting on the values, voices, and experiences that continue to shape our shared future.

Special thanks to the City of Petaluma for its support of this exhibition and related community programming as we commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.