Blanket Stories: Transportation Object, Generous Ones, Trek

A sculpture commissioned for the Haub Family Galleries at the Tacoma Art Museum

My mother-in-law, Marguerite (Marge) McCulloch, was born in 1922. Her parents were Dexter and Goldie Ballinger Beard. The Beards and the Ballengers were pioneer families in the Lynden area near Bellingham, Washington. George and Sarah Beard, Dexter’s parents, bought a pre-emption claim from Alex McLeod in 1884. Nate Ballinger homesteaded 80 acres around 1890.

This afghan was hand-crocheted by Marge McCulloch in the 1970’s. My children loved this blanket and they loved their Grandma Marge, whose fun-loving spirit and creative handwork added so much to our family.