The Farmington River Quilt Project

When Winchester Center quilter MaryPat Leger saw the Sacramento River Quilt, she envisioned a similar work of art extolling the remarkable values of the Farmington River in Connecticut. Her inspiration brought together 24 quilt artists, some nationally recognized and some making their first landscape quilt. Together they created The Farmington River Quilt Project, which portrays 25 locations on the Wild & Scenic section from Goodwin Dam in Colebrook to the Rainbow City Pool in Canton. The 50-foot quilt is composed of 25 panels, each measuring 24" x 21". 

The U.S. Congress designated the Wild & Scenic section of the Upper Farmington River in 1994. It flows through the towns of Colebrook, Hartland, Barkhamsted, New Hartford, and Canton. In 2019, the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook also received the Wild & Scenic designation. The Lower Farmington River flows through the towns of Burlington, Avon, Farmington, Simsbury, East Granby, Bloomfield, and Windsor on its way to the Connecticut River. Salmon Brook flows through Hartland, Granby, and East Granby before entering the Farmington River. 

The new designation inspired MaryPat Leger to collaborate with the newly formed committee to create additional quilts depicting the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook. MaryPat Leger organized 26 quilt artists, including herself, to portray 20 locations along the Farmington River and 7 locations along Salmon Brook. The 40-foot-long Farmington River portion of the quilt is complemented by a 15-foot-long Salmon Brook portion that shows sites along both branches of the brook and the mainstem. Each Farmington River quilt piece measures 24" x 18", and each Salmon Brook piece measures 30" x 12". 

All the quilters worked independently, using their own creative expression to depict a specific location. Quilters were required to meet the river’s entry and exit dimensions of the adjoining panels, enabling the river to flow continuously through the combined 105-foot length. 

The quilts, combined or individually, celebrate the outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the Wild & Scenic sections. They were supported with grants and site information from the Farmington River Coordinating Committee and the Lower Farmington and Salmon Brook Wild & Scenic Committee. 

As these quilts are displayed in various venues, we hope they will be enjoyed not only as remarkable works of art, but also as a reminder of the importance of long-term protection of our river resources.