ANTLER – The Antler Historical Society is seeking donations of quilts, blankets or afghans for an online fundraising auction to be held in February 2026. Donations are due by Jan. 31.

According to Antler Historical Society information, the quilt auction is in honor of the North Dakota Centennial Quilt which was certified by Guinness World Records in 1988 as the world’s largest historical quilt. It measures 85 feet by 134 feet. Thousands of volunteer quilt makers in each of the state’s 1,360 townships stitched township blocks containing symbols and designs of local landmarks and historic places and events. These carefully crafted, artistic township blocks were joined together into 53 county blocks. The county blocks were then stitched into the state quilt in Antler.

In early 1986, R. Smith “Bob” Kiliper conceived the idea of having North Dakotans stitch together the largest quilt in the world to celebrate the state’s centennial in 1989. Kiliper died in July at 97 years old. More than 7,000 individuals contributed to the quilt. Leona Tennyson led the project. At 73 years old, Tennyson dedicated two years of her life to the project and traveled to every one of the state’s 53 counties to organize committees. She spent her own money and considerable personal energy to make the project a success. Tennyson died in May 1995 at 80 years old.

The Antler Historical Society was established in 2020 for the purpose of restoring the historic 1905 State Bank of Antler building, which was placed on the National Historic Register in 1988, to create a museum that will also display the North Dakota Centennial Quilt. Due to its size the quilt has never found a permanent home. Tennyson’s wish was that the quilt never be taken apart. The Tennyson family has honored her wish by keeping the quilt in storage for many years.

Upon completion of the building restoration, the Antler Historical Society plans to fold the quilt in such a manner that it can be displayed inside the newly created museum. Prior to placing it in the museum there will be one last public unrolling of the quilt, at which time drone photos will be taken to create photo albums of each county for viewing by museum visitors.

Donations can be sent to 10839 Highway 256, Antler, ND 58711 or contact by email at AntlerHistory@srt.com. Antler Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.