American History in Quilts

Quilts have always been an important part of Americans' lives.  Besides keeping us warm and decorating our homes, they tell stories of our nation's past.

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson Clara asked, "What's a map?"  What would you tell Clara about a map? The map on the quilt is the slaves' route north to freedom called the Underground Railroad.  For more information about the Underground Railroad: http://www.ugrr.org/  http://www.ushistory.com/railr.htm http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/ugrr/home.html

Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt, by Barbara Smucker

Of what religious sect was Selina and her family?  Mennonites are non-violent people.  What does that word mean?  How do Mennonites feel about fighting in a war?  Why did Selina's family have to move to Upper Canada?

This story takes place at the beginning of the Civil War. To learn more about the Civil War: http://iis.dai.net/AdCast/765284/E02.html Pictures of the flags of the Civil War: http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/museum/63/batlflag/main.html

Much of American history is the story of going West in search of a better life. There is a good map showing pioneer trails westward in the middle of the book The Quilt-Block History of Pioneer Days, by Mary Cobb.

The Josefina Story Quilt, by Eleanor Coerr                                       
                         Where were Faith and her family going?  Why?  What story does her quilt tell?

To learn all about the Oregon Trail:
http://www.isu.edu/~trinmich/Oregontrail.html

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