I'd like to add my 2 cents to this discussion. I am a school liaison
librarian in a public library. I portray Catharine ("Aunt Katy") Coffin
for 4th graders (and others) studying Indiana history. Catharine was
the wife of Levi Coffin, who has been called the "president of the
Underground Railroad." My program first developed from the premise that
quilts were used to guide fugitive slaves to freedom as described in the
book you mention, "Hidden in Plain View" (Jacqueline Tobin, 1999). As I
researched the topic, however, and learned about the controversy, I
decided I could not in good conscience present a program based on such
inaccuracies. More research led me to consider writing a portrayal of
Jean Rankin, who worked with her husband and sons to rescue fugitives
crossing the Ohio River at Ripley, Ohio. Since state standards for 4th
grade history involve state history, however, I looked further for
someone similar in Indiana and came across Catharine. Because of the
plethora of teacher-written lesson plans focusing on the quilt theory, I
felt some teacher/student education was necessary. So, in my
presentations, I mention the theory by saying, "Some people say....but
most historians disagree....etc. etc." Then I do a mini-booktalk on the
book Barbara suggested, "Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt" (Deborah
Hopkinson, 1995), telling the students that it is a made-up story that
was a neat idea. I follow this by reading portions of "Under the Quilt
of Night," also by Hopkinson (2001), which is MUCH more realistic in
that it expresses what people felt, rather than "facts," and allows
children (and adults) connect to the situation on an emotional level.
We also discuss the book "Follow the Drinking Gourd" by Jeanette Winter
(1988) because the use of the song has been determined to be true, and
students like to demonstrate to me that they already know about Peg Leg
Joe. Many teachers and adults to whom I have made this presentation
have told me they were surprised about the quilt theory being
inaccurate...they had assumed it was all true because of Tobin's book
and all the media hype, and never even questioned it. So much for
critical thinking and information literacy!
Cindy Rider
School Liaison Program Librarian & MLS Student, Indiana University
Vigo County Public Library
Terre Haute, IN
crider@vigo.lib.in.us
>>> Sylvia Adair <piecethepast@WI.RR.COM> 1/28/2005 12:58:25 AM >>>
Dear Barbara: I wonder if you are aware that there is a controversy
in
quilt history circles over the idea of hidden maps in quilts helping
slaves escape. The story (which has been widely accepted and promoted
in the media) comes from only one source, which is quoted in the book
Hidden in Plain View. There are numerous glaring errors in the
theory,
especially since some of the quilt blocks mentioned (such as double
wedding ring and bow tie) were not known until much later than slavery
days. But the idea is so compelling that many schools and teachers
have
been teaching this as fact. Sweet Clara's story is very appealing,
and
a good fiction story, but we do kids a disservice to promote the
premise
as fact. This will be another historical "myth" they'll have to
unlearn
(like George Washington and the cherry tree).
I belong to a group of quilt historians online, and we are trying to
set
the record straight on this subject whenever we can. There are so
many
wonderful things we can do with quilts and quilting and our students,
while still keeping an eye on real history. I love your idea of a Q
is
for Quilting Wall. I am currently making book character quilts with
first graders, and they are unbelievably cute!
It is always so great to see your posts on LM_NET. Have a great day!
Sylvia Adair, K-8 Library Media Specialist
Kansasville, WI, USA
Barbara Braxton wrote:
>Many thanks to those of you who so quickly told me that the title was
>actually "How to make an American Quilt" by Whitney Otto.
>
>I have now given my Visa card a touch-up (hooray for Amazon.com for
people
>like me who want overseas books for their libraries} by getting a
number of
>quilting storybooks.
>
>The one that intrigues me greatly is Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
-
>"Clara, a resourceful young slave girl, creates a patchwork quilt
>that--unknown to the white masters of her plantation--serves as a map
of the
>land that points the way to freedom along the Underground Railroad, in
this
>fictional story for young adults." Another article in my magazines
talked
>about the origins of some of the traditional quilting blocks and
whether
>they were indeed secret maps. I think this could provide an
intriguing
>challenge for students - select a local landmark and design a
patchwork
>block that could be used as a secret map. Imagine the investigations
and
>explanations that would evoke!
>
>I have a blank wall crying out for a series of mini displays (once I
restore
>my library after having packed it up for painting) and Q for Quilting
is one
>that I am really looking forward to creating. Hopefully, it might
even
>inspire some of my students to try something new! In fact, the
possibilities
>are endless. And all because of a paragraph in a magazine and LM_NET!
This
>is what keeps me motivated.
>
>Off for the first day of this school year.
>Barbara
>
>Barbara Braxton
>Teacher-Librarian
>Palmerston District Primary School
>PALMERSTON ACT 2913
>AUSTRALIA
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