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Laurel Ridge - The Story

Each month we will be featuring a chapter of the Laurel Ridge story. Each chapter will be available here under the Patterns/Documents Tab.

Lynn Wilder's Laurel Ridge quilt design pays homage to the courageous women of the 1930s American Depression era who were employed by the newly established Work Progress Administration (WPA) as Packhorse Librarians, the pioneering traveling 'bookmobile'. 

These women risked their lives for just $28 a month—facing terrible storms, rising creeks, wild animals, and skepticism towards the written word to deliver books into the depths of Kentucky's hollers and mountains on horseback and mules to bring literacy to these areas.

Lynn says,

“I regard these women as fearless and 'plucky,' committed to bettering the lives of their families and those impoverished and illiterate. Their bravery is commendable, and their tale deserves to be shared.”

Laurel Ridge  / BOM 2025

Lynn Wilder
star
Laurel Ridge - The Story

Laurel Ridge Chapter 1

Anne Brennan
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

You’re a gifted writer, Lynn. (And you can trust me on that—I’m a certified professional editor.)

I look forward to the next instalment of your story.

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Lynn Wilder    Anne Brennan
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Thank you so much for your sweet words of support and encouragement, Anne. I really appreciate your comment.
Take care,
Lynn

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Faye Tresvik
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Lynn,
I am so thrilled to be making the Laurel Ridge quilt. This story is one I knew I wanted to read when you were telling Alex and Ricky about it. I have never heard about the packhorse librarians until now. So looking forward each month to a...

Lynn,
I am so thrilled to be making the Laurel Ridge quilt. This story is one I knew I wanted to read when you were telling Alex and Ricky about it. I have never heard about the packhorse librarians until now. So looking forward each month to a new chapter, both with the story and blocks to make for the quilt!
Piecefully, Faye in New Hampshire

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Lynn Wilder    Faye Tresvik
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The packhorse librarians are part of the rich history of Kentucky and life in the 1930's. There are several books available about them. 'The Giver of Stars' by Jojo Moyes was my first introduction to the topic.
Take care,
Lynn

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Marilyn Wharton
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Thank you Lynn for this charming story. I’m eagerly waiting for the next chapter in Lexi’s adventure. Also, I sure hope her mother’s quilt gets finished in time to be exhibited in the quilt show! Something tells me she will get it done.

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Lynn Wilder    Marilyn Wharton
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Dear Marilyn,
Lexi's mom is going to have to be several months ahead of you to get the quilt made in time......especially since she will be hand quilting it! I'm so glad you enjoyed the first chapter of the story.
Take care,
Lynn

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Vivian Lewis
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The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson is a good novel about these women.

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Lynn Wilder    Vivian Lewis
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That book was the inspiration for this quilt. It's a great book. Also 'The Giver of Stars' is another excellent book about the packhorse librarians.

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Carol Grant
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Looking forward to reading these stories every month!

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Lynn Wilder    Carol Grant
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Thank you, Carol! I've enjoyed writing about my packhorse librarian.
Take care,
Lynn

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