The Camden Shoe Shop & Quilt Museum, owned by Betty Anderson, showcases the history of Camden and Gee’s Bend through quilts, artifacts, and stories. Betty personally guides guests on tours, providing insights into local history, quilting, civil rights, and religion. The museum features quilts made by Betty’s mother and grandmother, as well as her father’s antique shoe repair equipment. Located in Camden, the museum is within walking distance of downtown and offers speaking engagements and educational programs.
Guests are given tours personally by Betty, who not only entertains each and every guest with her captivating stories, but also educates citizens and tourists about local and regional history, quilting, civil rights, and religion. You may catch Betty at the museum throughout the week, but your best bet is to make an appointment.
The museum includes an eclectic display of quilts, furniture, artwork, period clothing, and documents, along with her father’s (Joe Anderson) historic shoe repair equipment, which dates to the late 1800’s.
Betty Anderson’s mother (Marie Coleman Anderson) and grandmother (Minder Coleman) made most of the quilts by hand in Gee’s Bend, and they date from 1920 to 2011 – when Marie Coleman Anderson quilted the “911 Quilt.”
Speakers include Betty Anderson and BBTCAC Art Programs Director Kristin Law. Betty is available to visit your organization or school for a fee.
Programs available include Wilcox County Quilting History; Betty’s Involvement In the Selma to Montgomery March; Lye Soap Making; Women of Gee’s Bend Dolls; and more upon request. Hands-on projects available for additional fee. For more information regarding programs: email info@blackbelttreasures.com.
The museum is walking distance from historic downtown Camden and Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center, where Betty is an Artist in Residence and has a studio for making her Gee’s Bend Lye Soap and her Gee’s Bend Women dolls.
To visit, it is recommended to make an appointment by contacting Betty Anderson. To schedule or confirm large groups, contact Betty at (718) 839-3501 or (334) 682-9878.
