AUGUSTA — Laurie LaBar, Maine State Museum’s curator of history and decorative arts, is to share insights and images of Maine quilts during a webinar at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 10.

The webinar marks the official launch of LaBar’s new book, “Maine Quilts: 250 Years of Comfort and Community.”

The book, co-published by the museum and Down East Books, is the first to take a comprehensive look at Maine quilts and quilters. For LaBar, it is the culmination of more than a decade of research about quilts from across the state. The result is an illustrated study full of stories, inspiration, and artistry, all at the hands of generations of Maine women.

“As the book’s title implies, comfort is central to Maine quilts because of the physical comfort of having something over you during cold winters,” said LaBar, according to a news release from the museum. “But there is also an emotional comfort to a quilt because someone you love may have made it for you. At the same time, community is important because quilts, especially album or friendship quilts, hold so many stories about the communities of women who made them, or about the events that connected and shaped the lives of quilters and their families.”

Sponsored by the Maine State Museum and the Friends of the Maine State Museum, the webinar is free of charge.

To register, visit mainestatemuseum.org or call 207-287-2301.

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