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 Image 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 – 1867 Image 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 Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory

After the weary travelers finally settled, the women realized that the need for quilts was still very real. Pioneer women worked quickly to make more quilts before winter set in. Prairie Settlement: Nebraska Photographs and Family Letters ( ) Collection Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory

Because the homes were very cold in the winter, having several quilts on all the beds was a necessity. Quilt made by Elsie Rich in the pattern Double Wedding Ring Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory

In those early days, women used any material possible to make quilts. What do you think was used to make the backing for this quilt? Quilt back … 1978 Image 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 chair Image 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 1893 Image 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 Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory

THE CIVIL WAR Believe it or not, quilts also played an important role in the Civil War. Can you think of how? Portrait of soldier on horse Image 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, 1864 Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory

During this four year long war, tens of thousands of men were wounded or dead. The women and young girls at home, knew they would need blankets and quilts. Fredericksburg, Va. Wounded from the Battle of the Wilderness Image Source: Library of Congress – American Memory

THE SANITARY COMMISSION Men and women from both sides of the war wanted to help. The Sanitary Commission was established so they could. Fredericksburg, Va. Nurses and officers of the U.S. Sanitary Commission Image 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 quilts and comforters had been made for Union soldiers alone!

There are still some today that could teach 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 quilt Images Source: Library of Congress – American Memory Click on speaker to go to the Library of Congress and hear Learning to Quilt [Audio]