The Saxonburg Library contains many stories about the past. But this weekend, some will be told with fabric and stitches instead of words.

Quilt historians with the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation on Saturday will be documenting handmade quilts owned by families in Butler County. The project is part of a larger mission to record the region's sewing heritage.

The process will include photographing the quilts and recording information about materials, construction and design.

"The quilt can tell a story about the owner even if they're not here," said Brenda Applegate, executive director of the foundation.

One of Applegate's examples included arrangements of texture and color that led her to accurately describe its maker as quirky. Another was a North American map motif with an extra S in the word Mississippi.

Applegate said BCHRLF's existing educational programs include textile activities like weaving and making bobbin lace. Although documenting quilts fits nicely into that theme, BCHRLF undertook the project because unlike the state's northwestern quadrant, the southwest quilts are yet undocumented.

The project will include Butler County along with Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

BCHRLF started this project in 2009 and expects it to continue for five years.

The foundation hopes to use part of its $5,000 McCarl Foundation grant toward applying to be part of the Quilt Index, an online repository of quilt history created by The Alliance for American Quilts and Michigan State University. Long-term plans include writing an additional grant for publishing a book.

Applegate donates her time when she travels to documentation sites, which so far have included about 20 in Beaver and Lawrence counties. Also volunteering is Jan Rodgers of Cranberry Township, who holds a master's degree in textiles and quilt history from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

The two met through an online quilt forum after Applegate attended a quilt show at the Heinz History Center and posed a query about quilt history information, which she said the show was lacking.

Applegate said the BCHRLF project grew from their initial conversation.

Applegate said more documentation sites are needed as well as volunteers to make appointments and help process quilts, which leave with a muslin identification label basted onto the back if owners agree.

Longtime quilter Maryann Magra of Freeport is coordinating the Saxonburg event as well as a later one in Freeport. Magra learned of the project through her involvement with the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, which has hosted quilt exhibits.

"She just volunteered to coordinate, and she talked to the library," Magra said.

"We have people out in the community that are doing this for us because I can't know everything," she added, explaining how local people can more easily suggest sites willing to host the events.

"We need assistance with that," she said.

Although many of the Saxonburg appointment times are reserved, Magra said some remain available. Those making appointments are asked to take no more than two quilts.

Quilts must be owned by a Butler County resident and cannot be commercially made. Quilts can be finished quilts or tops that have never been completed as quilts.

Applegate and Rodgers will have pattern and fabric dating resources available, but appraisals will not be part of documentation.

Those interested in making an appointment should call Magra at 724-295-3123.

Those wishing to set up or help host additional Butler County events should call Applegate at 724-775-1848.

<B>WHAT: </B>Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation quilt documentation for southwestern Pennsylvania<B>WHEN: </B>Sept. 18<B>WHERE: </B>Freeport Library, 428 Market St., Freeport<B>INFO: </B>To make an appointment, call Maryann Magra at 724-295-3123.———<B>WHAT: </B>Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation quilt documentation for southwestern Pennsylvania<B>WHEN: </B>Oct. 16 and 17<B>WHERE: </B>Camp Lutherlyn, 500 Lutherlyn Lane, Connoquenessing and Butler Townships<B>INFO:</B> For information about making an appointment, call the camp at 724-865-2161.———<B>WHAT: </B>Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation quilt documentation for southwestern Pennsylvania<B>WHEN: </B>Nov. 12<B>WHERE: </B>Hill United Presbyterian Church, 501 2nd St.<B>INFO: </B>To make an appointment, call Susan Catanzarito at 724-482-4555.