Morton Historical Society & Visitor Center (Out of Many, One display)

Community Heritage Quilt, Trench Kit Art, & Mary Kiona Portrait

This quilt was created in 1965 by members of the local community as a visual record of everyday life and shared history. The stitched scenes depict family homes clustered along familiar streets, capturing the character and rhythm of the neighborhood as it existed at mid-century. Interwoven among the houses are images of the logging industry—mills, logs, and working forests—reflecting the economic foundation that shaped the community’s growth and identity.

Created during the First World War, this piece of trench kit art was made by local resident George Wheeler using materials available to him while serving overseas. It reflects the creativity and resilience of soldiers, and offers a personal connection between global conflict and the lived experience of one member of the community.

This portrait of Mary Kiona reflects the cultural heritage and artistic traditions of the Cowlitz Tribe. Through her work, Kiona honors ancestral knowledge, identity, and connection to place, preserving Indigenous history through creative expression.

How it represents the community’s American experience:

Together, the heritage quilt, the World War One trench kit art, and the portrait of Mary Kiona represent the many layers of our community’s American experience. The quilt reflects everyday life, shared labor, and the importance of industries like logging in building homes and sustaining families. The trench kit art connects the community to national and global history, showing how local residents participated in and were shaped by major American conflicts. Mary Kiona’s portrait affirms the enduring presence, culture, and contributions of Indigenous people, reminding us that the American story includes deep ancestral roots that predate the nation itself. Together, these items tell a story of work, service, creativity, and identity—woven from individual lives into a shared community history.

On display at the Morton Historical Society & Visitor Center, Historic Train Depot & Museum, open daily, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.