​The Boone County Bicentennial Sampler Quilt
​The Boone County Bicentennial Quilt is a community-made project from 1976 celebrating the U.S. Bicentennial (the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence). It was created by local residents, including members of the Boone County Extension Homemakers. 

The quilt features prominent red, white, and blue colors to evoke national pride and patriotism, and was a collaborative effort created with patches representing local townships, businesses, organizations, and families.

After completion, the quilt hung proudly in the Boone County Courthouse rotunda in Lebanon for 41 years (from 1976 until August 2017). It became a beloved local landmark, with residents often pausing to view it during courthouse visits.

In August 2017, it was carefully taken down. Onlookers watched as it was examined one last time, then carefully folded and packed using tissue paper for safe transport. It was moved to its new home at the Indiana State Library (ISL) in Indianapolis for long-term preservation and archival care.

On March 26, 2026  Boone County Historical Society board members Mike & Cheryl Hancock retrieved the bicentennial quilt from the State library and brought it to the Cragun House in Lebanon. It was the intention of the society to gain consent to rehang it in its former place of prominence in the courthouse as our nation celebrates 250 years of independence in 2026

On April 6, 2026 The Boone County Historical Society made a request during the Boone County Commissioners meeting, Peggy Daggy presented on behalf of the Society to rehang the quilt in the courthouse rotunda. Other Board of Director members in attendance were Jane Hammock, Cheryl Hancock, Mike Hancock, and Kevin Vanhorn.  
All of the commissioners felt that rehanging the quilt was appropriate, and voted unanimously in favor of our request.
A special thank you to Commissioners Byer, Pell, and Lawson. We also thank Sheriff Tony Harris for offering to ensure any security needs in relation to preserving the safety of the quilt.

April 29, 2026 The Bicentennial Quilt was rehung in the Courthouse rotunda.
BCHS President Jane Hammock said a few words about the quilt just before it was hoisted.
The quilt hung just inches off the floor for several minutes to allow everyone to get a good look before it was raised to its final position between the 2nd & 3rd floors of the Courthouse. 
A special Thank you to Max Mendenhall, Courthouse Director of Facilities, for his coordination and efforts to get the quilt safely into position in the courthouse in a smooth and orderly manner.
Board members able to be in attendance included Jane Hammock, Kathy Flanary, Kevin Van Horn, Peggy Daggy, and Mike Hancock

What a special day!
The Boone County Historical Society has reprinted the original Sampler booklet that contains all of the details of the quilt, it's creation, committee information and a list of the families depicted on the quilt.
These are for sale for $10
​Bicentennial quilt 
Some tidbits of info from our file.

Treva Iddings, local seamstress, avid quilter and designer of original clothing, had the quilt idea July 18, 1975. She gathered representatives of Boone County’s 12 townships together in a September meeting at the Chamber of Commerce office to pitch the idea, and the quilt was finished in April 1976. 

The quilt involved 40,000 hours of work by 2500 residents, and it's final dimensions measured 10' x 12' feet in size.

The quilt was originally unveiled at the Bicentennial Ball, July 3, 1976, a few minutes after midnight.

The front of the quilt is a loose rendering of the county, featuring outlines of the townships, each stitched by representative from those townships, featuring  important details: vegetable gardens, school buses, railroad track, and tractors. The center is a 22” medallion of the Boone County Bicentennial Seal. The seal was designed by Pam Lochmueller, LHS art teacher. The seal is needlepoint and took 499 hours.  Students in her class made the macrame tassels hanging along the sides. 

Surrounding the map are 496 signatures of local elected officials and outstanding citizens. These citizens also donated a $1 to have their signature on the quilt.

The  back is 1,024, 2" x 8" rectangles, sold for $1 each (First come, first sold basis) to individuals, families, businesses and organizations. Only 5 rectangles were not returned! 

The cost of the quilt was $508.85 (thread, fabric, postage costs, copies and printing). It was a self supporting project. Left over funds were kept in an account to pay for any needs of the quilt. Upon Mrs. Iddings death, the quilt was bequeathed to the Boone County Historical society.

The ‘brochure’ (the sampler book) was sold at a cost $1.25 and was first sold on the night of the unveiling.

The Bicentennial sampler book was printed by James Roach and Pioneer Printing with some prepaid copies mailed before the Ball.

The Boone County Commissioners were originally asked for permission to allow the quilt to hang in the courthouse rotunda for 1 year, following which it would go on the road as a traveling art display. However, it never left the courthouse, instead it hung for 41 years.

Bob Guernsey (former Boone County commissioner) had stated, —"Its got a permanent home in the Court House, Its a reminder of a great community effort.”

On October 11, 1984, Treva Iddings stated that she had always drug her feet when asked to hand the quilt over to travel. She felt it should stay in Boone County, She stated that besides the stitchers and the previewing party people during the dedication,the quilt had never been lowered for people to view up close. She asked for it to be lowered during the Celebration in 1986 of the County Seat.