It was a good thing we were back at home tonight when Jim casually mentioned seeing a sign at a museum about an upcoming talk about the Underground Railroad and its Quilts, no doubt another totally bogus re-visitation of the myth that has been floating around for a few years but is becoming deeply embedded in the minds of American due to “history” talks at schools and museums by presenters who are NOT quilt professionals. I’d heard a talk of this kind at the same museum a number of years ago. In light of all of my work and that of MANY other historians and quilt historians, I thought they might have risen above the urge to keep sharing this misinformation.
This organization apparently has adopted the feel-good story about how “quilts” helped guide slaves to freedom. Supported by the agenda of the National Park Service and others who should be leaders in telling the truth, not duping the American public, unfortunately, this museum finds the story a good fit to benefit itself. This is a disheartening situation for me. For many years now, I have carefully explained all of the components of this recent American quilt myth. Apparently people would rather believe a lie when it is more convenient for them.
Funny how stories get blown all out of proportion. First, we had the totally made-up book for children, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt (1982), followed by others, eventually. Then we had the book in 1999 by Raymond Dobard, Ph.D., who mentioned specific quilt “blocks” that supposedly carried hidden messages (some of which were not even designed until the 20th century). As an art historian, Dobard was looking for connections to Africa that coincide with his own ethnic background. Even he admitted that his theories were speculative. I won’t go into the details again. They are published on my website, in print, and in references to my work in the published writings of other people. I have neither the time nor the patience to revisit this topic in depth on this blog, yet again, and apparently, my words fall on deaf ears anyhow.
It is amazing that this same museum prides itself on promoting “quilt history.” They should really take a good look at what they are doing in promoting FAUX quilt history.
I am happy to report that in my own upcoming talk, I will be presenting TRUE FACTS and showing documented, museum-held, Civil War quilts made for soldiers or by them or by quilters in support of the “cause” during the Civil War, in both Confederate and Union states.
History is not an elusive subject. Historians worth their salt habitually use intellectual reasoning and common sense, acknowledging existing historical artifacts that have a provenance and can be documented, in order to draw logical conclusions. Anything short of that process is suspect. Hearsay, upon which the so-called “secret quilt code” and book about it are based is totally bogus.
There is lack of supporting evidence of any kind from the time period, or later, to indicate that quilts were ever used in any manner on the Underground Railroad (a system of safe havens and people who facilitated escapes to freedom in Canada for slaves, not an “actual” railroad). People are just dismally unaware of history and/or find it unappealing to share the truth of the matter. I am disgusted, once again, beyond belief. The museum in question should be ashamed. I have always loved going there in the past. Now, I am just fed up with the lies they perpetuate to the public. I wish this stupid topic would just go away, but it never will as long as the unknowing continue to perpetuate this myth. Sigh!
See Barbara Brackman’s book to gain more insight.
Patricia Cummings
