Temple of Vaccinia

Following the idea of pivotal moments in time that transformed humanity, I am dedicating my last two “Time” quilts to medical achievements that saved millions of lives.

Among these breakthroughs, vaccines stand out as one of the most transformative achievements in history, containing infectious diseases that once decimated entire populations. Though the concept of immunization predates modern science—originating from the ancient practice of variolation across several cultures—the true turning point occurred in 1796 with Edward Jenner.

Jenner observed that milkmaids exposed to cowpox appeared immune to smallpox. Hypothesizing that cowpox could offer protection, he tested his theory on May 14, 1796, by inoculating eight-year-old James Phipps with cowpox material from a milkmaid’s lesion. When subsequently exposed to smallpox, Phipps showed no signs of illness.

This discovery had profound implications for public health. By proving that controlled exposure to a pathogen could safely stimulate immunity, Jenner laid the foundation for modern immunology. Building on his work throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, scientists developed vaccines for rabies, anthrax, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Mortality rates plummeted, dramatically demonstrating the power of preventive medicine.

Jenner carried out much of this life-saving work at his home, Chantry House, in Gloucestershire. In his garden, he built a small one-room hut he called the “Temple of Vaccinia,” where he vaccinated local poor residents free of charge. Today, the property serves as the Edward Jenner Museum, and the historic hut still stands—inspiring this quilt, which depicts the hut as it appears today.

Technique and materials: fussed applique, machine quilting, commercial cotton fabrics, polyester batting.