Prepare for a wonderful holiday event as the Upcountry History Museum presents a distinctive exhibition, “Sue Reich’s The Quilter’s Night Before Christmas.” This display, open from November 1, 2025, to January 11, 2026, brings a cherished story to life. The exhibition focuses on Clement C. Moore’s famous 1823 poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” widely known as “The Night Before Christmas.” This enduring verse has influenced our contemporary depiction of Santa Claus and is a fundamental element of holiday customs for many families globally.
This particular exhibition is more than a typical art display; it is a traveling collection from across the nation, assembled by the respected Sue Reich, a recognized quilter with numerous awards. The ingenuity of this exhibit stems from its cooperative design. Quilters from across the country were invited to contribute, each assigned to interpret a specific section of the poem using their artistic skills. This distinct method offers a varied and sincere visual story of the well-known Christmas tale, providing a new viewpoint for everyone who attends.
The development of each quilt in “The Quilter’s Night Before Christmas” was carefully planned to maintain a unified yet individual artistic perspective. Each participating quilter received specific instructions: their artwork had to be exactly 24 by 30 inches, and importantly, every quilt had to include a small quilt or a tiny quilted picture. This uniform size facilitates an attractive presentation, while the small addition introduces an enjoyable level of detail and prompts careful inspection of each piece, showing the quilter’s individual style and understanding of their assigned section.
The outcome of this creative effort spanning the country is an exceptional collection of 29 impressive quilts, each a physical representation of “The Night Before Christmas.” These colorful and detailed fabric artworks will be shown for the first time in South Carolina at the Upcountry History Museum, offering a completely new way to appreciate the happiness and amazement of the poem. We are delighted to present this engaging exhibit and express our deep appreciation to our generous sponsors, whose contributions have enabled us to share this national collection with our community.
