Cattle Brand Quilt

Frances Punchard (1911–1997) made this unique cattle brand quilt in 1936 to commemorate Texas's centennial. An homage to Texas's ranching legacy, brands from 29 Texas ranches are included on the quilt. The dates of the centennial appear inside the longhorns. The quilt was displayed at the Centennial Fair in Dallas.

Frances Punchard graduated from Baylor Women's College in Temple in 1932 with degrees in home economics and art. While working as a home-demonstration agent in San Saba County, she participated in a monthly quilting club where she made this cattle brand quilt. The quilting club was one way the Texas Agricultural Extension Service used home-demonstration agents like Punchard to work with farm families to improve their quality of life during the Great Depression. Punchard worked for the extension service teaching home economics for 34 years.