The Baltimore album quilts were far more ambitious, often illustrating facets of their owners’ lives. One, given to David Crowl on his 21st birthday, includes a log cabin, complete with a tiny ...

Quilts made during the high album-quilt period 1845 to 1855, in Ms. Davis’ view include panels depicting the Mexican War, Texas gaining its statehood, the Whig party and the temperance movement.