A wedding present from a bridegroom to his bride on April 25, 1876, highlights an exhibit of quilts at the Show-Me Quilts show this weekend.

Quilts will be displayed, judged, appraised and sold from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Plaza Way Community Center in Cape Girardeau.

The wedding quilt, which has maintained its vivid red color for more than a century, is among quilts in John and Martha Short's collection of family heirloom quilts.

"They have been handed down to us," Short explained. "Some are from my side of the family. Most are from my husband's side. Some have stories. Some I can only speculate."

The quilts date up to the 1950s.

Short knows about the wedding quilt because it was passed down to her in a cardboard box. On the lid of the box, in her husband's grandmother's handwriting was a note that the quilt was a gift from her father to her mother for their wedding.

"I don't know if the family ever used it," Short said. "But it has been taken care of and stored properly. Normally red's turn with age. This red is still red."

The Shorts keep the quilt collection in storage but have agreed to exhibit about a dozen pieces at the show.

"The quilts show a lot of different techniques, appliques, cross stitching and unusual quilting techniques," Short said. "There are all different kinds of fabrics, and all are at least 50 years old."

Among other quilts being displayed are baby quilts made for both Martha and John. "These are in mint condition," she said.

"I saw my grandmother quilt with a church group. My mother did the baby quilt," Short said. "I made quilts for my kids, but they were machine quilted. These go back to the old techniques."

This is the second year for the local quilt show.

"The response was overwhelming," said Estelee Wood, show coordinator. "And ladies are coming to show quilts this year from everyone, all over the region."

Anyone wanting to enter a quilt may do so after 2 p.m. today by bringing the quilt to the Plaza Way Community Center.

This weekend, quilt fans also will have a chance to learn the value of quilts. Thelma L. Stone, a certified quilt appraiser, will at the Show-Me Quilts show, in Cape Girardeau. Stone of Chaffee is one of the few appraisers in Missouri qualified to give both market and insurance values for quilts and quilted textiles.

Appointments are needed. Call (573) 243-5196 to schedule a time.

An Amish quilt, made in Milroy, Ind., will be sold at the show. Proceeds benefit the Amish community school.

In addition, patterns, fabrics and lots of quilting gizmos and supplies will be available.

Those attending the show may vote for the People's Choice Award.