Interesting!

I have an entire book by Barbara Brackman that says that sort of thing is a "feel-good" myth with no corroborating evidence. She is so thorough and knowledgeable, I believe her.

Just saying,
charlotte

I was just about to say, how wonderful the display was and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :)

But I, too, do believe we have debunked this legend of the quilts on the Underground Railroad now and wish more historical museum sites were aware of this and didn't continue to perpetuate the myth. It would not take away from their museum if they removed the plaque.

Jan in VA

Wonderful quilts. Love that tree quilt. Have not seen that pattern before.

I love looking at old quilts. Thanks.

It is fun and interesting to see old quilts. I have also read that it is more a myth than reality about the blocks meaning something in the underground railroad. I think they may have used quilts to signal a place to seek rest rather than the blocks in the quilt.

I fully agree with Brachman's research. All in all, the quilts you saw were very interesting and I thank you for sharing.

Very interesting, thanks for posting. I have never heard of quilted petticoats.

First off - I've seen several quilts petticoats. They were made to keep warm in winter and are beautiful.

Now on to my bigger problem - there is and never was any quilts related to the Underground Railroad. It is a complete myth completely made up and a small book was written around the end if the 1990s. Do,some research - runaway salves were only traveling at night without a bright moon - how were they supposed to even see quilts in a fence or in a tree. Many of the designs supposedly used weren't even known at that time. This whole subject has been taught as truth in schools and now being told as truth in museums. The Underground Railroad itself started around 1830 and was pretty much over by 1861although slaves were still trying and hopefully escaping. History has always been a favorite subject of mine and it really disturbs me when people try to rewrite it - here in the south groups are trying to erase much of the Civil War realities by tearing down statues, etc.

i do do not mean to offend anyone - I just want thus myth to go away and not having Quilter's especially,perpetuating a total lie.

thanks for letting me have my say,
Sandy in Mooresville, NC

The pictures you showed were wonderful - I do love old quilts and own 2 - one dated 1868 and one probably from the 1930s.

Sandy in Mooresville, NC