Linda R. Baumgarten
WELCOME to the website of Linda R. Baumgarten, specialist in the history of textiles and costumes.
For 39 years Linda held the position of curator of textiles and costumes at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Williamsburg, Virginia. Linda is the author of three books and co-author of two others. What Clothes Reveal, The Language of Clothing in Colonial and Federal America won the Millia Davenport Publications Award from the Costume Society of America. In 2014, Linda teamed with longtime colleague Kim Ivey to write Four Centuries of Quilts, The Colonial Williamsburg Collection. Linda has also produced an adult coloring and pattern book, with designs adapted from quilts and quilted clothing. In her retirement, Linda continues to research clothing and quilts (especially Amish quilts) and draw quilting patterns using Computer-Assisted Design technology.
Online Publications
NEW in 2025 for free download
Amish Quilting Designs 1868–1962
This catalog presents full-page drawings of 82 quilts showing the patterns used by a century of Amish quilters. An introductory essay opens the book, and it concludes with a generous series of appendices including motif examples, a birds-eye view of regional styles, and bibliography. Click photo at right to download.
Articles also available
Books
Clothing and quilts are the two threads of historical inquiry that fill these five books by Linda Baumgarten. Her exploration of broad themes of meaning and taste are set in a context of technical design and description, all richly illustrated with photographs and drawings. Click to read about each.
Poetry
When prose cannot describe the moment, poetry is my voice and companion. Join me for a few personal moments of reflection about nature, life, and friends.
Click the cover to open.