May 14 – 17, 2003
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These restored messages come from the Quilt History List, an online forum where quilt historians, collectors, researchers, appraisers, and enthusiasts discussed antique quilts and related textiles. The archive dates from 1996 through approximately 2016 and is being restored gradually. Sign up in the form at the bottom of the page if you want to know when a new page is added. Original spelling, opinions, formatting, and inactive links may remain unchanged.
Primary topics of this QHL Digest:
- QHL Returns After a Rocky Server Migration — The list moves to a new host after a technical shutdown, prompting a flood of relieved “I’m receiving it!” check-ins and thanks to list-mom Kris Driessen for getting the venue back up and running.
- Tracking Down a 2,000-Year-Old Quilt in Russia — A member’s question about a Mongolian quilted textile on display in a St. Petersburg museum draws in a Moscow-based contact and references to Averil Colby’s book Quilting for comparison.
- Barb Garrett’s Simply Quilts Appearance — Members who caught a fellow QHL subscriber demonstrating a Jacob’s Ladder doll quilt on the television show Simply Quilts cheer her on and note the coincidental timing with a study group meeting on feedsacks.
- The Underground Railroad Quilt-Code Debate Reignites — Frustration over the persistence of the Underground Railroad quilt-code story ahead of a planned Smithsonian exhibit leads to calls for a qualified historian to draft a letter, and a mention of Giles Wright’s published critique of Hidden in Plain View. (see the article on Underground Railroad quilts)
- Butternut and Blue Fabric Line Confirmed — A question about whether a fabric line will accompany Barbara Brackman’s new book gets confirmed by a member who previewed it at Spring Market, though shipping isn’t expected until fall. (see the article on natural dyes)
- New DAR Museum Curator and Recommended Reading — News of Alden O’Brien’s appointment as the DAR Museum’s Curator of Costumes and Textiles prompts a round of foundational quilt-history book recommendations to help her get up to speed. (see the article on quilt museums)
- Quilt Tape Bindings and Vintage Looms — Following up on an earlier discussion of hand looms and niddy-noddies, a member shares history and photos related to old quilt tape binding manufacture.
- Email Etiquette Reminders for the New List — A gentle reminder goes out asking members to send plain text rather than HTML or background images, so messages come through cleanly on the list’s new server.
- Black Threads and African American Quilting Scholarship — A member asks about Kyra Hicks’s book Black Threads: An African American Quilting Sourcebook as a possible resource on slave-made quilts.
Date: [date unknown] | From: “judygrow”
Congratulations to Kris for perservering and getting us a new and more reliable venue.
Just a reminder to all those in the tri-state Delaware Valley area and locations north and south.
Studio Quilt Study Group will have its fifth meeting this coming Tuesday, May 20th, at 10:00 AM. If you’ve been too shy to attend in the past, now is the time to put all reticence aside and join us for 5 or 6 hours in the study of old quilts and textiles.
We started meeting in September as strangers and through our mutual interests we’ve become a group of friends eager to share. Please join us if you can. Just e-mail me for more information.
Ringoes NJ is between Flemington and the Lambertvile/New Hope area, just off of route 202.
Judy in Ringoes, NJ judygrow@
Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 21:57:59 -0700 | From: “Alan Kelchner”
Kris –
It’s coming through for me also. Than you !
Alan
Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 22:46:33 -0700 (PDT) | From: Joe Cunningham
Has anyone ever seen or talked to anyone who has seen the 2000 year old quilt in the Institute of Anthropology in St Petersburg, Russia? I have only seen the black and white photo that was published in a couple of books. But I would very much like to talk to anyone who has seen the real thing or knows how to see it. Joe Cunningham joe@
Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 21:08:56 -0400 | From: Joan Kiplinger
Kris — this came through fine for me. Liked your quilt on eboard..
Joan for those keeping score: Indian Head column vastly upgraded mostly 1950s-70s; 1961 ends IH cloth production http://www.fabrics.net/joan403.asp
Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 21:01:45 -0700 | From: “Laurette Carroll”
Hello, I thought some of you might like to know that Michigan State U is auctioning off two of Mary Shafer’s quilts. Laurette
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2531180963
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2531182541
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 07:28:28 -0700 | From: “Rachel Greco”
This is confirmation that I am receiving the QHL list on the lyris.quiltropolis.com list. I use Quiltropolis for my own website and newsletter and am completely happy with their excellent services.
Also, thanks very much to Kris for making QHL a reality. What a blessing to be able to network with other quilt historians and enthusiasts in this fashion. Thanks so much for all your hard work!
Rachel Greco Grandma’s Attic Sewing Emporium, Inc. Dallas, Oregon e-mail: GrandmasAttic@ web: www.grandmasatticquilting.com
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 07:35:05 -0700 (PDT) | From: Kris Driessen
Anyone catch Barb Garrett on Simply Quilts this morning? I came into the last 10 minutes of her explanation of how to make a Jacobs Ladder doll quilt. It was such a delight to see her doll quilt collection again! I first saw it many years ago when she gave a presentation at the feedsack convention in Lancaster PA on Amish and Mennonite quilts. She illustrated the talk using quilts from her own collection. Very informative, I learned a lot that day. If anyone in this group is on a program committee and looking for a speaker, I recommend her highly.
Barb, if you are listening, the topic of the Vintage Quilt Study Group (http://www.quilthistory.com/study/VQSG.htm) meeting this weekend is feedsacks. I know Maine is probably too far for you to drive so I will take lots of pictures. Rumor has it that new AQS appraiser Pam Weeks Worthen might be there:-))
From there I head to Ringoes, NJ where the Studio Quilt Study Group (http://www.quilthistory.com/study/SQSG.htm) meets on Tuesday the 20th. The topic is baskets and flowers – I have a pretty blue and white basket quilt I plan to bring. I could do without all the driving but the energy and information freely shared at the quilt study groups makes them well worth it.
Kris
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 13:06:13 -0400 | From: “Cinda Cawley”
Can soneone give me Laura Fisher’s email address? Thanks. Cinda on the Eastern Shore
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 10:43:40 -0700 | From: “ChrisA”
Hi-
This is a call for help about eastern NY quilt stops-
I would welcome any suggestions for must see quilts shop and quilt history places found in the Hudson River Valley area, mainly the north end to middle. Although, I’d go south if it was worth it 🙂 I am especially interested in the museums that show and tell about blue-resist textiles. I’ll be there the end of June.
Thanks,
Kimberly Wulfert, PhD www.antiquequiltdating.com Email: quiltdating@
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 11:50:41 CST | From: jocelynm@
On Thu, 15 May 2003 00:06:56 -0500 “Karan Flanscha” wrote:
> Wow, > it is great to have QHL back, I was going into withdrawal!! > Thanks to Kris for getting the move accomplished!! > Has anyone seen Barbara Brackman’s new book “Butternut & > Blue”?? Wow, she just keeps the wonderful history & patterns > coming at us!! I wonder if there will be a fabric line to > compliment the book?? > Karen, I believe there is a fabric line- I think someone showed a quilt at quilt guild using it. Jocelyn
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 14:10:30 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time) | From: “Barb D”
Kim,=0D Try the Putnam County Historical Society. I believe they are in Carme= l, NY. I’ve found them on the web in the past. If you have problems, I’ll = do some of the searching for you if you wish.=0D The reason I suggest this, is that my personal quilts come from the area.= =2E.. I’m sure there is a collection somewhere, and these folks could help guid= e you I’m sure=0D Barb Durtche (Western NY dang it…..if I were closer I’d accompany you!)=
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 20:07:12 +0100 | From: “Celia Eddy”
Hello, everyone, from a slightly damp Summer on the Solway Coast in the far North of England!
I’ve been away fom QHL for ages and am very excited to be back on.
Now, I wonder if anyone can help me solve a mystery? A few years back I had a very friendly correspondence with the American quilt artist, Margit Echols, based on our shared love of geometrical Moorish patterns. Very sadly, Margit died and since then I’ve been trying to find anone who knew her and who might be able to put me in touch with members of her family. I know she was married to the musician, David Tofani, but have not had any success in getting contact details for him. Any suggestions will be much appreciated.
Best wishes and greetings to all, Celia
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 16:22:33 -0500 | From: “Marcia Kaylakie”
Yes, I thought she did a wonderful job and I was so glad to see her! Way to go, Barb, if you are reading this! Marcia
Marcia Kaylakie, AQS Certified Appraiser Austin, Texas 512/502-0383 www.texasquiltappraiser.com
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 18:35:24 -0700 | From: Gail Ingram
Oh my, as one of the Three Little Pigs (I’m not sure which one) said: “Ah, home again, home again jiggity jig!” Good to see QHL posts again.
In the change of servers, I wonder if anyone has thought about the point made by Ms. Thresh in early May—namely, that contacting Smithsonian now, before the possibility of another UGRR affirmation, would permit positive input into that exhibit from quilt historians like many mentioned on this list and would be preferable to “decrying mistakes later.”
It would be nice if someone interested in this issue would draft a letter outlining the questions the UGRR quilt stories raise, including a bibliography and names of reputable scholars who might present those questions articulately.
I am constantly surprised by the pervasiveness of HIPV point of view. Recently I was railing about the matter to my husband, a history prof and a person with a critical mindset. He stopped me and asked, “You mean there’s no sound evidence to support that claim?” Turns out, during Black History Month a woman from a nearby historically black university had spoken in his department and passed it on as unquestionable and unquestioned fact. She herself was not an American historian, just found the story interesting and accepted it as factually based.
Gail
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 14:41:03 -0700 (PDT) | From: Kris Driessen
WEll, you are certainly welcome to stop and visit the QuiltBus! We hope to move in mid June, so you may walk around boxes, but I would enjoy showing off the quilts & stuff I have collected this past year.
I am sending this to the list because it is an open invitation to anyone who would like to visit. Just make sure we are not traveling (our schedule is at http://www.quiltbus.com/bustops.htm) and call first so I can put makeup on:-))
Kris Driessen 3256 State Rte 30 Esperance NY 12066 888-817-6577
— ChrisA <chrisa@> wrote: > Hi- > > > This is a call for help about eastern NY quilt stops- > > I would welcome any suggestions for must see quilts shop and quilt > history > places found in the Hudson River Valley area, mainly the north end > to > middle. Although, I’d go south if it was worth it 🙂 I am > especially > interested in the museums that show and tell about blue-resist > textiles. > I’ll be there the end of June. > > Thanks, > > Kimberly Wulfert, PhD > www.antiquequiltdating.com
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 08:05:01 EDT | From: KareQuilt@
Joe, I contacted an acquaintance from the ArtQuilt List in Moscow about the 2,000 year old Russian quilt. She is agreeable to be contacted. Here is what she had to say. << I have not seen this quilt myself, but did some research this morning and assume he is talking about the Noin Ula quilt found in the 1920s in Mongolia, in burial sites of the Hun tribes. This site has a color photo of a detail of it: http://www.georgetown.edu/faculty/millwarj/centralasiaimages.htm I haven’t been able to verify what museum holds this piece, but I think it is either the Kunstkamera (Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences) or the Hermitage. It also may not be on display at the present time. If someone wanted to see it in person, it would be best to find a contact at these museums to verify where it is, and if it’s on display. If it is not, it may well be possible to arrange to see it privately. If anyone is seriously interested, there is a tour guide in Moscow who specializes in quilt-related tours, and may be able to arrange something in Petersburg. They could contact me and I will track down her contact information. It would have to be soon though, as my computer will be packed up in six weeks for our move to Vienna. Karla Solomon, Moscow Russia hsolomon@>>
Karen Alexander karequilt@
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 00:06:56 -0500 | From: “Karan Flanscha”
Wow, it is great to have QHL back, I was going into withdrawal!! Thanks to Kris for getting the move accomplished!! Has anyone seen Barbara Brackman’s new book “Butternut & Blue”?? Wow, she just keeps the wonderful history & patterns coming at us!! I wonder if there will be a fabric line to compliment the book?? Happy Stitching…Karan from soggy Iowa
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 08:21:27 -0500 | From: The Dougherty Family
Our Moda rep showed us a fabric line called Butternut and Blue by Barbara Brackman and Terry Clothier Thompson. I think it’s supposed to be shipping in early fall. There are probably ads in the magazines already–sometimes they do that as soon as they have artwork, but the fabric is often not available until 1-3 months after the ads are out.
Teri Dougherty The Back Door 2503 Fairview Place, Suite W Greenwood, IN 46142 (317) 882-2120 dttes@ http://www.backdoorquilts.com
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 09:49:32 -0400 | From: “Nancy Roberts”
I missed–the book “Plain and Fancy” is marked “no longer available” on the Hamilton website. They must have had a rush on orders after Audrey’s post. Thanks for the notice though Audrey. They should offer you a commission! However, I did see that “Fabulous Feedsack Quilts” is available on that site at $5.95. I know I’ve seen several requests for that title on the “Seeking books” section of the QHL pages. The book features quilts from the Feedsack Club along with patterns. Have a good weekend all. Nancy Roberts
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 10:30:39 -0700 | From: “Christine Thresh”
Gail Ingram is one of the most articulate writers on our list. I hope she will volunteer to “draft a letter [to the Smithsonian] outlining the questions the UGRR quilt stories raise, including a bibliography and names of reputable scholars who might present those questions articulately.”
I am only an observer, not a teacher, writer or historian. The planned Smithsonian exhibit certainly needs positive input from qualified historians. I do hope someone volunteers.
Thanks for bringing this subject up again.
Christine Thresh http://www.winnowing.com
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 05:25:07 -0500 | From: Jo Morton
Karan, Yes there is a fabric line to compliment the book ‘Butternut & Blue’, I saw it at Spring Market and ‘heard’ that it won’t ship until September-ish. It is a wonderful line. Jo Morton – Prairie Hands Patterns Nebraska City, NE we’re not soggy, but liking the much needed rain.
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 16:56:59 -0400 | From: Joan Kiplinger
I know some of you are interested in old quilt tape bindings. Several weeks ago there was a discussion on vintage fabrics about hand/tape looms and hand reel/niddy-noddies. Photos of each are now on eboard; both are 19thC. Thought you might be interested in seeing them. http://vintagepictures.eboard.com See general tab. Also, perhaps Xenia can be persuaded to post her charming niddy-noddy ditty. I thought I had saved it, but guess not.
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 16:57:56 -0400 | From: “Neal and Julie Crossland”
I received the QHL in digest form and I like it. Julie Crossland
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 21:02:08 -0500 | From: “Karan Flanscha”
Hi, Jo, Wow, we keep having more wonderful books & gorgeous lines of fabric coming out!! We won’t run out of inspiration or material to work with 🙂 My friend, Shelly, who also took the Double Handle basket class, and I, are in a small group together. We make birthday blocks for each other. Another friend in the group has a May birthday, so we each made her a Double Handle basket block in pastels (not 30s). They are SO cute… and she was very surprised and just loves them. She is talking about an appliqued vine with spring flowers for a border, sounds perfect 🙂 We have had a busy month here, I have a new grandson, born on May 5th!! His name is Gage Scott Flanscha, and he looks just like his big sister Allison did when she was born 🙂 For Mother’s Day, they got me a cute pattern “Posie Patch” by Waltzing With Bears (what a cute name!!) This little quilt has a check fabric set on point between little applique flowers… your tan and blue check will be just perfect for it!! And I have fat quarters of couple of the Aunt Luci’s Cottage line that are a perfect match for the tan/aqua blue colors in your check!! Thought it was fun that they matched so well!! Have you gotten any more Dear Jane blocks done?? Happy Spring!! Karan
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 21:47:42 -0500 | From: “Karan Flanscha”
Whoops… I didn’t realize that if I hit Reply… the note goes to the list, not to the sender… guess everyone else will want to take note of that too!! Karan
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 10:14:16 -0500 | From: “Carolyn K Ducey”
Hello – I’m happy to say I’m on the list again.
Carolyn Ducey
International Quilt Study Center HE 234, Univ. of Nebraska Lincoln, NE 68583-0838 402/472-6301
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 11:08:05 -0500 | From: “Charlotte Bull”
THANKS!!! All A+ Rating!
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 16:52:45 -0700 | From: Gail Ingram
Christine, I’m not the one to do this. I think J. G. Row might be. I’ll ask her. Surely in those earlier posts there is some bona fide historian to take it on. I think some of the Brackmans of the world ought to tackle it.
I cannot explain why this issue irritates me so, unless it is that it completely disregards the legitimacy of scholarship and fact. And it gets by because of racial issues. When information started surfacing about the real first quilts of America, showing them not to have been made from necessity of wee remnants of clothing, everyone revised their books and museums took note. No issue at all. Very different take on this issue.
I’ve just gotten a magazine out, done a banquet for 125 people Wednesday night, and now have to prepare from scratch a cocktail buffet for a bride and her fiancee by 7 p.m. tomorrow night. So I’ll be thinking other thoughts. Maybe someone will respond to list. If not, I’ll talk to Judy and maybe Xenia, who has lots of other projects going.
What about the male historian in Rhode Island or thereabouts?
I’ll be happy to draft letter, but bibliographies and Big Names must come from someplace else. Maybe all these quilt study groups that are organizing.
Best wishes for good weekend, Gail
> > Gail Ingram is one of the most articulate writers on our list. I hope she > will volunteer to “draft a letter [to the Smithsonian] outlining the > questions the UGRR quilt stories raise, including a > bibliography and names of reputable scholars who might present those > questions articulately.” > > I am only an observer, not a teacher, writer or historian. The planned > Smithsonian exhibit certainly needs positive input from qualified > historians. I do hope someone volunteers. > > Thanks for bringing this subject up again. > > Christine Thresh > http://www.winnowing.com > > > > > — > You are currently subscribed to qhl as: gingramtcainternet.com. > To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-qhl-1442640Clyris.quiltropolis.com
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 09:18:39 -0400 | From: Debby Kratovil
this is not a reprimand, just offered as a help. Those who attempt to attach files (photos) or even have a background image added to their email software (so that your email appears pretty with a wallpaper print as a background) end up having those of us on the receiving end view pages of junk. Also, if you have your email client/software configured to read (and send) your email as html (that’s what enables your browser – Internet Explorer, for example, to view text and graphics like a printed brochure) are wreaking havoc on those of us who don’t. I think it’s mainly the AOL and Outlook users, but it’s a mess. many times I just throw away the entire email when I have to scroll for pages – it’s unreadable. While I can’t tell you specifically what to do, just checking your mail preferences to uncheck “view email as html” would help. Also, deselect any background images for your email client/software. this is a friendly email, so please know that I bear no hard feelings. Debby — Debby (with a “y” and not “ie”) Kratovil http://www.quilterbydesign.com
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 16:48:22 +0200 | From: Ady Hirsch
ubject: Mongolian Quilt From: Joe Cunningham <joejoethequilter.com> Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 22:46:33 -0700 (PDT) X-Message-Number: 8
“Has anyone ever seen or talked to anyone who has seen the 2000 year old quilt in the Institute of Anthropology in St Petersburg, Russia? I have only seen the black and white photo that was published in a couple of books. But I would very much like to talk to anyone who has seen the real thing or knows how to see it. Joe Cunningham joejoethequilter.com” I looked in on the Central Asian reference – the “quilt” fragment there closely resembles the felt appliques found in the Alatai Scythian tombs. These, as far as I remember, are even earlier – 5th cent. BCE. I saw these findings, lodged in the Hermitage museum, when they were on loan to the Munich Anthropological Museum in the mid-eighties. Some of the textile articles, including a fabulous felt applique of a horseman facing a woman on a throne, a leather applique rug and two magnificent stuffed felt swans, can be seen in Georges Charriere’s “Scythian Art – Crafts of the Early Eurasian Nomads'” Alpine Fine Arts Collection Ltd., New York, NY, 1979. If the book is unavailable, please e-mail me off list. Ady in Israel
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 09:55:54 -0700 | From: Newbie Richardson
Dear list, The DAR Museum in Wsshington has appointed Alden O’Brien as Curator of Costumes and (all) Textiles. Nancy Gibson has been promoted within the Museum. I write this as Alden has great influence with and is respected by the curatorial staff in Social History at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian. ( It’s the “old Girl” net work, don’t cha know!) Alden is not a quilt historian per se – she knows that she is lacking in the specificity of the disicipline and is working over time to overcome her lack of knowledge about quilts. She is, however, a talented historian, an expert in costuming and the social history of women. The collection is in very capable, and concerned, hands. We traveled to an event earlier this week and she querried me quite closely about the controversy surrounding the UGRR and quilts and HIPV. Among other things, her daughter’s first grade teacher was using this myth in her social studies/art classes. Even without knowing about the controversy first hand, Alden’s instincts told her this was not true! She is no stranger to myths – she has been campaigning against the myths of corsetry for years ( with some success I may add). She is very knowedgable about the history of Abolishon, so this fits right in. When we had an in depth discussion about HIPV some 12/18 months ago on this list, there were some very well written essays debunking the myth. Including some info from the older black gentleman historian in Delaware/Rhode Island?
I thought that I had printed it out and put in my files – but I can not seem to find it all. If one of you has those old posts could you forward them to me so I can give them to Alden? Also, I want to get her two books on quilt history ( as a present) to bring her up to speed – quickly. My thoughts are Clues in the Calico and Bishop’s America’s Quilts and Coverlets – as they cover lots of territory clearly and concisely. Do you all agree? I had also thought about Soft Covers for Hard Times. Remember these are for quick overview – not indepth – which is why I do not think Orlovski is a good choice – at least not initially. Thanks for your input Newbie Richardson Past Crafts TExtiles Appraisals, Conservation, & Exhibition Alexandria, VA
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 10:17:56 -0400 | From: “Laurie Magee”
In any case congratulations on your new grandchild! Laurie
> Whoops… I didn’t realize that if I hit Reply… the note goes > to the list, not to the sender… guess everyone else will want > to take note of that too!! > Karan > > > — > You are currently subscribed to qhl as: woodmanvbe.com. > To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-qhl- 1442709Vlyris.quiltropolis.com >
— Laurie Magee and Tom Blajeski CoreComm Webmail. http://home.core.com
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 09:21:20 -0600 | From: Xenia Cord
Newbie, there may be some other volumes better suited to bringing Alden “up to speed.” The Safford and Bishop book, America’s Quilts and Coverlets, is early enough that it has some information now disputed or disproved. Another volume that is a good overview is Kiracofe, the American Quilt.
I would also recommend Ferarro, Hedges, Silber, Hearts and Hands; The Influence of Women & Quilts on American Society (very readable social history). And she should be familiar with Horton (ed.), Quiltmaking in America, Beyond the Myths, which contains selected papers from the ongoing annual journal of the American Quilt Study Group, Uncoverings (1980 ff). Of course the articles published in these volumes are also worthy of study.
Once she is seriously addicted <g>, there are period and regional studies (for instance Soft Covers for Hard Times, Southern Quilts), specific studies on BAQs, friendship quilts, Amish quilts, Chicago centennial exposition quilts, twentieth century quilts (the first half, anyway), crib quilts, and on and on. Then there are all of the state search books, and the county studies coming out of Pennsylvania.
We live in an age of tremendous research and scholarship concerning American quilt history, and are also fortunate enough to have the researchers authors available to discourse with us.
Xenia
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 09:02:38 -0700 | From: “Christine Thresh”
Newbie wrote: “When we had an in depth discussion about HIPV some 12/18 months ago on this list, there were some very well written essays debunking the myth. Including some info from the older black gentleman historian in Delaware/Rhode Island?”
Giles R. Wright wrote a critique of HIPV. (I have a copy which he sent me.) Wright is Director, Afro-American History Program, New Jersey Historical Commission. The address I have is NJ Department of State, Cultural Affairs, PO Box 305, Trenton, NJ 08625-0305. Phone (609) 292-6062. Web site: www.newjerseyhistory.org. Wright co-authored a booklet called “Steal Away, Steal Away…,” A Guide to the Underground Railroad in New Jersey, published by the New Jersey Historical Commission.
J. G. Row noted in a QHL post on February 19, 1999: “New York Tims, Thursday Feb 18, page F-11. There is a large article/review by Phil Patton of the book Hidden in Plain View. This is the first review or article about the book that I have read or seen that finally casts doubt about the veracity of the facts as stated in the book” Judy gave some examples from the article. (I have a copy of Judy’s post which I printed out.)
Christine Thresh
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 11:41:25 -0700 (PDT) | From: Kris Driessen
Newbies note sent me on an interesting visit to the NJ History website. They have a couple of books on line in pdf format. Afro-Americans in History; A short history (http://www.njstatelib.org/cyberdesk/digidox/digidox9.htm) has several interesting insights to the early Eastern mind set. One thing I noted was some people in NJ (and presumably elsewhere in the north) were actually against freeing slaves because of the impact that would have on local economy. They feared that ex-slaves would be willing to work for lower wages, throwing many whites out of work. At that time and in that place, immigration was also a factor. There simply weren’t enough jobs to go around and without a social network to fall back on, people would literally starve.
I had never looked at emancipation that way before.
Another interesting concept: there is a map in one of the NJ books clearly outlining the various paths that the Underground Railroad took. Where this information came from it didn’t say. But it is hard to imagine that enough documentation exists to establish the path taken without also establishing how escaping slaves knew they were on the right path. If there weren’t physical conductors, there surely must have been signals of some sort. Could those signals have been quilts? Unlikely, since the railroad only ran at night. Could a map be made of a quilt? Again unlikely as it takes time to make a quilt, and in that time the stops may have changed. Even if not, a quilt is bulky to carry around, and if anyone caught the slave and interpreted the map correctly, a whole line of safe houses would be exposed.
So I decided to take a trip up the Amazon looking for a book that might have more information about the codes used in UGRR to signal safe houses. I found no less than four recently published books that refer to quilt codes. The author of SWEET CLARA AND THE FREEDOM QUILT (1993) admits that although the inspiration for the book came from hearing a quilter on National Public Radio mention escape routes being sewn into quilts, she had never found actual documentation or confirmation and so presented her book as fiction. However, I wonder how many children take it that way?
Most of the books still in print on this topic seem to be for children, and seem to focus more on the emotional aspects of escape. I did decide to order two: His Promised Land and Bound for the North Star I will read and review them as soon as they arrive.
Any other recommendations?
Kris
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 18:18:48 -0700 | From: “Christine Thresh”Has anyone read a book called Black Threads: An African American Quilting Sourcebook by Kyra E. Hicks? A review I read in QNM said it was an “impressive catalog of references to Black quiltmakers in seven categories…” And “an African American quilting history timeline. This unique publication is a tremendous research tool.”
Hicks, McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 2003, 242 pp., $38.50 (hardcover)
Perhaps this book has information about slave quilts.
Christine Thresh
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 21:54:57 -0400 | From:
> About five years ago, I was asked to make a quilt square depicting the home > of a Connecticut senator who lived in Bloomfield, CT. It was known that his > house was a part of the Underground. I was one of app. 200 quiltmakers > asked to make a block. The block is now included in one of 4 quilt panels > (actually 4 large quilts) in cases in the Main Gallery of the Library/State > Museum. More and more sites are found in our state each year. Believe me, > they are everywhere. It would follow that as new sites turn up, the modern > maps are being drawn. > As I was researching for “Quilts and Quiltmakers Covering Connecticut,” I > found that many of the quiltmakers’ families took part in the Underground. > I would like to also add that in my research to date, I have not found any > mention about quilts used as signals here in Connecticut. I must admit > that I am researching quiltmaking and the women and men who made them not > the Underground, however, there are at least four quiltmakers in our book > whose families were known to participate in the Underground. Some as early > as the first quarter of the nineteenth century. sue reich >
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 23:40:08 EDT | From: aol.com
I think Joe might actually be referring to a 2000 year old quilted rug found in a tomb in Siberian. There’s a black and white picture in Averil Colby’s book Quilting, but I’ve never seen a color photo. The Pazyryk artifacts are appliqued, not quilted.
Karen Evans
