Kudos to those readers who have posted so many thoughtful comments in response to this short-sighted opinion piece. In most papers, if an opinion piece is unsigned, it reflects the view of the editorial board rather than an individual columnist. If so, this editorial board is woefully uninformed. The cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 is close to $1.4 trillion. The amount of taxpayer money spent to support the work of historians and textile preservationists is miniscule. History is about much more than generals, battles, wars, and political leaders. It is also the story of migrations, raw materials, climate, cultural norms, religious faith, community values, gender roles, economics (including bartering and the role of unpaid work) and much more. The International Quilt Study Center and Museum examines and preserves history and adds to our collective knowledge. The miniscule federal and state funds allocated to this endeavor are well spent.