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Underground Railroad Story Quilt
By Barbara Payne
This quilt was made to tell the story of the secret signs of the Underground Railroad.
Each square represents a secret signal (code) used by the runaway slaves as they
traveled on the Underground Railroad from bondage to freedom.
Note: The quilt in particularly useful in teaching Underground Railroad
history to students in the classroom. You might find our list of resources
(including children's books about the Underground
Railroad) helpful. If you are interested in quilts, please take a look at our Ohio Underground Railroad Quilt.
Descriptions of the story squares
- Many times women did not bring babies, so she is praying for help
- Representing freedom, the north star pointed towards Canada; on cold nights, the star
gave light during the night
- Moses of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman helped more than 300 people to
freedom; went back 19 times but never captured
- False bottom used to hide slaves in the hidden compartment underneath. On top was
usually vegetables, manure, or wood
- J.T. Ward Hauling and Transfer Company, used their wagon to transport slaves.
Oldest African American business in the country.
- Manican with lantern that was lit signaled that there were no slave hunters in the area
- Quilt was used for warmth and hiding while traveling
- Follow drinking gourd (North Star) - the North Star points direction to the north
- Free black man who purchased freedom for his family
- Negro Spiritual signaling that it is time to travel by water to lose the scent of
runaways
- Henry Box Brown mailed himself to freedom in a box. He was in a box for 26 hours
- Moss on the tree gave direction to the North
- Runaways traveled through swamps (rivers, streams), wooded area, and fields to disguise
themselves from slave catchers
- Quaker Abolitionist home that was used to provide safety until runaways could move to
the next station (red or bright cloth tied on door was a signal that it was safe to come
in)
- Black and white hands worked together in the struggle for freedom. Various church
groups joined together in prayer and work towards freedom and justice from bondage
- Each rose in a vase indicated the number of hidden slaves in hiding
- If a pot was turned upside down it was not safe to enter; if the post was sitting
upright, that meant it was safe to enter an agent's home
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