We make quilts to go on beds, they've been slept under and quilts have lasted 100s of years being used and washed. I've been to shows and have been given gloves to wear if I wanted to touch the quilts. But, to me there's nothing wrong w/ touching/feeling the quilts. There is so much love put into the quilts as they are being made - touching them gives me a connection to the maker. As quilters we know to make sure our hands our clean and how to handle one respectfully.
Personally, I would not be upset at people touching my quilt - I would be upset if it was hanging in the rain, though.