The United States of America turns 250 years old in 2026, and the Museum of Science and History has a way to “tie” the past with the present through a new quilt donation.
Volunteer Pam Bivens has made quilts for the Museum in the past, but this year, she wants to weave Owensboro’s present with the historic milestone by stitching ties from throughout the county.
“I choose ties because most men have ties or wear ties, and it’s a way to get some contributions to the museum,” Bivens said.
They hope to collect 250 ties for the monumental day. After she has stitched the ties together, Bivens plans to give the quilt to the Museum to keep with their exhibits.
Aside from ties, she also accepts donations directly toward the Science Museum’s mission.
“We’re looking forward to it. She’s done another project for us in the past, and it was just wonderful,” said Executive Director of the Science and History Museum Kathy Olson.
Olson said she is confident that Bivens’s creativity at the fundraiser will attract new members and create new physical and emotional ties to the organization.
Board Chair Mary Kinney said that the quilt is open to all donations. She plans to donate from her husband and father’s tie collections toward the project and encourages other women in the community to do the same.
When Bivens presented on Tuesday evening, she accepted donations from all the City Commission presenters, including Commissioner Sharon NeSmith, who donated in honor of her late husband.
“Even the ladies are interested,” Bivens said. “They are bringing along their husband’s ties. Their husbands are no longer with us, but they’re contributing their husband’s ties. So it will be special to them.”
By bringing in something as personal as a person’s tie, she hopes to inspire people to support the museum by becoming patrons or just visiting throughout the year.
“This is a more personal thing,” she said. “If I do something personal for people, it can keep them invested in Owensboro, and if you’re involved in something, then you’re more likely to support it,” Bivens said.
The Museum will collect donations at the front desk during business hours.
After completing the tie quilt, Kinney said they are still working out a plan to showcase it throughout the community before auctioning it off, with all proceeds going back to the Museum. They are also looking for ways to get the women in the community involved with a separate quilt they can contribute to, but more details are to come.
“I am very excited about what her quilt will look like. It will definitely be an heirloom for someone to have and be a nice community time capsule for someone,” Kinney said.
