The Guild of Quilters of Contra Costa County was founded in late 1973 by a group of students attending Ester Cullings’ quilt class at Acalanes High School, and later, at Mt. Diablo Adult Education Department. Members of the first Board of Directors were Ester Cullings, Roberta Elder, Peggy Guiffre, Lynn Hunare, Marlene Pante, Luella Schultz, Diana Stott and Lee Streib. Guild membership increased to 51 in the first six months!

The first name of our guild was “Contra Costa Quilt Guild.” Later it was changed to the “Guild of Quilters of Contra Costa County” and the Weathervane quilt block pattern was chosen as our logo. We have had several meeting places over the years, including the Pleasant Hill Community Center. Our in-person meetings are currently held at Centre Concord.

In 1983, through the hard work of Marge Fuson and Ted Winslow, Director of the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District, we found a home at the “Old School House” on Oak Park Boulevard in Pleasant Hill. Due to the closure of that facility, we now have a room of our own at the Farm Bureau building in Concord, known as the Farmhouse. A place of sharing, quilt basting, eating, and visiting. All members are encouraged to visit the Farmhouse.

Our first Quilt Show was held in 1974 at Los Lomas High School in Walnut Creek. Quilts were placed over chairs and on tabletops for display. Later we moved to the Pleasant Hill High School gymnasium, and we hung the quilts on clotheslines. In 1978 Louise Follett’s husband, Earl, made our first stands. Those stands were in use until 1994 when we hung the quilts on our new wooden stands. From Pleasant Hill High School our quilt shows moved to the Pleasant Hill Community Center where they were held for several years. In 1993, our 20th Anniversary Show was held at Centre Concord to accommodate additional quilts and other quilt show activities.

Currently our guild has over 200 members. GGQCC is dedicated to preserving the tradition of quilting. We support projects that promote the continuation of the quilting arts, educate and entertain our members with presentations by quilt-world experts, and contribute to our community through various philanthropic activities.

Our current president is Nancy Van Meter.