Payson Roundup

Andy Towle/Roundup - atowle@payson.com

Lorraine Williams shows off the 1982 Payson Centennial quilt.

The quilt made for the 1982 Payson Centennial is now on display in the gift shop at the Rim Country Museum.

The large quilt contains 35 panels and was put together by 13 women.

A number of them are deceased, but one member, Lorraine Williams, 85, of Payson, was present as the quilt was exhibited to the public. Williams said, “We formed a quilters group called the Hook & Needle #9 Club and met once a week to work on the project.

“It took us three months to complete it,” said Williams.

The quilt was exhibited at Payson Town Hall for a year and then donated to the Northern Gila County Historical Society.

The quilt is unique in that the panels depict both the history and events that shaped Payson.

It shows where we were 25 years ago and what we have lost over that span of time.

Many of the panels no longer apply to today, such as the Sawdust Festival and some historic buildings that have long since disappeared, including the original Zane Grey Cabin.

The quilt is seen as you enter the museum gift shop, which in itself is unusual. The staff, under the leadership of Betty Berryman, has supplied the gift shop with not only numerous Western-style gifts, but also many items focused on children.

The museum has a “Zane Grey Corner” with a collection of Grey’s books and memorabilia such as bola ties, belt buckles, even coffee. The book section of the store has a large collection of Rim Country and Arizona history books, both in adult and children’s editions.

The gift shop will soon be offering 10 percent discount coupons in the paper — and remember, no sales tax is charged.

To view the quilt, an important piece of Payson history, visit the museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Monday.