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70273 Project Artist Reception

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Lynn Woll has been an ambassador for Marbridge since 2013, when her sister Janet Hand came to live at The Ranch.  In November, 2017, while attending the International Quilt Show in Houston, Texas, Lynn encountered a very moving quilt exhibit called The 70273 Project, and had the wonderful idea to make it possible for Marbridge residents to participate.

About the 70273 Project:  

Between January 1940 and August 1941 in Nazi Germany, 70,273 physically and mentally disabled people – men, women, teens, boys, and girls – were killed by the Nazis. Though they were never even laid eyes on, the disabled persons medical files were reviewed by Nazi doctors.  If from the words on the page, the person was deemed “unfit” or an “economic burden on society”, the doctor placed a red X at the bottom of the form. Three doctors were to read each medical file, and when two of them made a red X on the page, the disabled person’s fate was sealed.  “Aktion T4” was the name of the top secret Nazi organization that was responsible for these senseless deaths.

Founded by Jeanne Hewell-Chamber on February 14, 2016, The 70273 Project commemorates these voiceless, powerless people in a profound and visual way.  Individuals and organizations can create their own quilt, and register it with the 70273 Project.  Blocks of white fabric (representing innocence and the paper the doctors read), each bearing two red X’s (representing one person), are stitched together into a quilt. The quilts are then donated to the 70273 Project to be exhibited across the country and world.

Lynn Woll was so moved by this impactful exhibit that she asked if she could bring the project to the Marbridge residents.  Lynn provided all of the fabric and materials, and the gift of her time to work with residents to create their own unique quilt.  Twelve Marbridge residents participated in this project, with Lynn sewing the finishing touches on each quilt.

The twelve works are now complete and ready to be displayed for all the world to see.  You are invited to an Artist Reception to meet the twelve Marbridge residents who participated in the creation of quilts to represent Marbridge. The collection of twelve Marbridge quilts will remain together and begin their exhibition in Victory Hall at Marbridge in the month of April. From there, they will be donated to the 70273 Project to become part of the permanent collection.

Watch the Marbridge 70273 Project participation video

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