Americas Quilting History

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Americas Quilting History
Could quilting teach us something about our
history?
Lets find out !!!!
Mrs. Bill Stagg with state quilt that she made,
Pie Town, New Mexico - 1940 Image Source Library
of Congress American Memory
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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
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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
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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 (1862-1912) Collection Image
Source Library of Congress American Memory
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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 - 1994 Image Source Library of
Congress American Memory
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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
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This is an example of a log cabin quilt.
Lets find out how it could be a part of
history.
Log Cabin quilt, detail Image Source Library of
Congress American Memory
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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
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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
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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 - 1940 Image Source
Library of Congress American Memory
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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
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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
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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
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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 - 1864 Image Source Library of
Congress American Memory
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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 - 1864 Image Source
Library of Congress American Memory
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The Sanitary Commission did many things to help
in the war effort. Can you think of the ways
they helped?

• They collected all the quilts that were donated.
• They raised money to buy materials to make the
  soldiers bedding.
• 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!
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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, lets 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