Guild History
The Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild (NHQG) was born out of the love and desire to celebrate African American quilting. There was a persistent feeling that something needed to be done to make sure that this historic craft would be preserved, and that several generations of quilters would create together.
In 1994 Glendora Simonson, a fiber artist, was teaching a class on African American Quilting at the Newark Museum. Although the class had started as a simple quilting session filled with historical information and quilting tips, excitement grew as the students considered the different design possibilities offered by fabrics. But soon the minutes were quickly stitched away as each block was pieced together. At the end of the session, Carolyn Davis, one of the participants in the class and an experienced crafter approached Glendora with the idea of starting a group that would continue the momentum started that day. The goal was to meet regularly to share more information on African American Quilting. Carolyn took the momentum further by inviting crafters in the community to her apartment to discuss various aspects of African American quilting. Shortly thereafter, Carolyn secured a meeting space at the St. James AME Church in Newark, NJ. On March 11, 1995, after much planning and with the generosity of church leadership, The St James Quilters met for the first time. Years later, the group's name was changed to the Nubian Heritage Quilters guild. Relocation to Montclair followed.
For over three decades, the NHQG has actively been involved in the greater Montclair, Newark and Northern New Jersey communities providing quilt exhibits, community service through education, quilt demonstrations, and workshops. The NHQG was also the recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant (2026). NHQG is currently "Celebrating Black Music" with a variety of Music Themed quilts at SANKOFA Cafe in Montclair, NJ.
The original group has expanded and includes all who celebrate the African American quilting tradition.
In 1994 Glendora Simonson, a fiber artist, was teaching a class on African American Quilting at the Newark Museum. Although the class had started as a simple quilting session filled with historical information and quilting tips, excitement grew as the students considered the different design possibilities offered by fabrics. But soon the minutes were quickly stitched away as each block was pieced together. At the end of the session, Carolyn Davis, one of the participants in the class and an experienced crafter approached Glendora with the idea of starting a group that would continue the momentum started that day. The goal was to meet regularly to share more information on African American Quilting. Carolyn took the momentum further by inviting crafters in the community to her apartment to discuss various aspects of African American quilting. Shortly thereafter, Carolyn secured a meeting space at the St. James AME Church in Newark, NJ. On March 11, 1995, after much planning and with the generosity of church leadership, The St James Quilters met for the first time. Years later, the group's name was changed to the Nubian Heritage Quilters guild. Relocation to Montclair followed.
For over three decades, the NHQG has actively been involved in the greater Montclair, Newark and Northern New Jersey communities providing quilt exhibits, community service through education, quilt demonstrations, and workshops. The NHQG was also the recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant (2026). NHQG is currently "Celebrating Black Music" with a variety of Music Themed quilts at SANKOFA Cafe in Montclair, NJ.
The original group has expanded and includes all who celebrate the African American quilting tradition.
