america’s quilting history could quilting teach us something about our history? let’s find out...
TRANSCRIPT
America’s Quilting History
Could quilting teach us
something about our history?
Let’s find out !!!!
Mrs. Bill Stagg with state quilt that she made, Pie Town, New Mexico - 1940Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
When the early pioneers traveled west, quilts were used by the women in several different ways. Looking at this
photo, can you name some of those ways?
Wagon Train between Echo Head & Hanging Rock – 1867Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
Did you think of this one?
New settlers hung quilts over the openings of the wagons to keep arrows from being shot in during battles with American Indians.
The Indian war : Indians attaching [i. e. attacking] a wagon train. Harper's Wkly. Sept 19, 1868 p. 601. Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
After the wearytravelers finally
settled, the womenrealized that the
need for quilts wasstill very real.
Pioneer womenworked quicklyto make more quilts beforewinter set in.
Prairie Settlement: Nebraska Photographs and Family Letters (1862-1912) CollectionImage Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
Because the homeswere very cold in thewinter, having severalquilts on all the beds
was a necessity.
Quilt made by Elsie Rich in the pattern Double Wedding Ring - 1994Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
In those early days, women used any
material possible tomake quilts.
What do you think was usedto make the backing for
this quilt?
Quilt back … 1978Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
This is an example of a log cabin quilt. Let’s find out how it could be a part of history.
Log Cabin quilt, detail Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
Harriet Tubman was a runaway slave from
Maryland who became known as the “The Moses
of her people”
How do you think she got this name?
Harriet Tubman, full-length portrait, standing with hands on back of a chairImage Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
Using the “Underground
Railroad” (a secret network of safe houses where
runaway slaves could stay on their
journey North), Harriet Tubman led hundreds of
slaves to freedom.
The Underground Railroad (1850 – 1870) – image created circa 1893Image Source: Library of Congress
The story is told, that if runaway slaves saw a log
cabin quilt with a black center for the chimney hole, hanging in a window of a home, this
meant the home was a “safe house” for slaves.
Mother of tenant purchase client piecing a quilt. Maricopa County, Arizona - 1940Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
THE CIVIL WAR
Believe it or not,quilts also playedan important role in the Civil War.
Can you think ofhow?
Portrait of soldier on horseImage Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
These are just a few of the thousands of men who fought in the Civil War.
Do you think they had need of quilts?
Petersburg, Va. Company H, 114th Pennsylvania Infantry (Zouaves) - June 1864-April 1865 Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
This is the type of place the
soldiers slept.
Do you see the need for quilts
now?
Fort Burnham, Va., vicinity. Camp of the 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry near the battlefield of Oct. 29, 1864Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
During this fouryear long war,
tens of thousandsof men were
wounded or dead.
The women andyoung girls at
home, knew theywould need
blankets and quilts.
Fredericksburg, Va. Wounded from the Battle of the Wilderness - 1864Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
THE SANITARY COMMISSION
Men and women from both sides ofthe war wanted to help. The Sanitary Commission was
established so they could.
Fredericksburg, Va. Nurses and officers of the U.S. Sanitary Commission - 1864Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
The Sanitary Commission did many things to help in the war effort.
Can you think of the ways they helped?
1. They collected all the quilts that were donated. 2. They raised money to buy materials to make the soldiers bedding.3. They worked non-stop to sew as many quilts as possible.
By the end of the war, it is estimated that over 250,000 quiltsand comforters had been made for Union soldiers alone!
There are still some today that couldteach us a lot about this art of quilting, if we
will only take the time to listen and learn.
So, let’s take advantage of their wisdom and experience!!!
Left: Grandmother and Granddaughter with Nine-Patch Quilt; Right: Fannie Lee Teals with her red, white, and blue American Revolution Bicentennial quiltImages Source: Library of Congress – American Memory
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Learning to Quilt [Audio]