Bertha Eugenia Bridges made this “fan” quilt ca. 1935-1945. Ms. Bridges worked as a domestic worker in Shelby, NC.

She married John W. Bridges (later divorced) and was mother to Ezra Bridges.
Ezra Bridges first worked as a domestic worker.

This dress was constructed by an enslaved woman named Combo for her owner Janie Wright Robeson in 1864. A brief biography of Combo was written inside the bodice.

Image description: A color photograph of Donna Choate and her husband Sabe, standing in front of quilt draped on a wooden fence behind them. Donna has on a blue button down blouse and she is looking at the viewer, she has her hands behind her. Her husband Sabe has on a tan button down long sleeve shirt and is wearing blue denim overalls. There is an old wooden building behind them.

Donna's oral history about her life and her family's life was recorded in Sparta, Alleghany County, North Carolina, September 25 and 26, 1978.

This story is a part of the Blue Ridge Parkway Folklife Project Collection (AFC 1982/009).

Image: left is a portrait of her, an engraving from Elizabeth Keckley's autobiography.

Right side is:
The Keckly Quilt/ The White House Historical Assoc.
This mosaic quilt is attributed to Elizabeth Keckly and was made between 1862 – 1880.

Gov. Roy Cooper congratulates Warren County resident Jereann King, who received the Old North State Award from Cooper on Feb. 15, 2018

Warren County textile and cultural heritage specialist Jereann King Johnson was among 15 North Carolinians honored on Feb. 15 by Gov. Roy Cooper with the Old North State Award for their efforts to preserve African-American heritage and culture.

Flash of Spirit:: African Design #1
by Jereann King Johnson
— with Heritage Quilters Giving Circle, Inc.

We want to introduce you to Quilter Jereann King Johnson. Warren County textile and cultural heritage specialist Jereann King Johnson was among 15 North Carolinians honored on Feb. 15, 2018 by Gov. Roy Cooper with the Old North State Award for their efforts to preserve African-American heritage and culture.

Jereann King Johnson, shares her knowledge of quilts and quitting and their importance to African American women and culture. She is a member of the Heritage Quilters.

Mr. President: Black, White and Blue
by Jereann King Johnson
— with Heritage Quilters Giving Circle, Inc.

Flash of Spirit: African Design #2
by Jereann King Johnson
— with Heritage Quilters Giving Circle, Inc.

Flash of Spirit: African Design #2
by Jereann King Johnson
She used French knots on part of the quilt.
— with Heritage Quilters Giving Circle, Inc.

Flash of Spirit: African Design #2
by Jereann King Johnson
— with Heritage Quilters Giving Circle, Inc.

Laura Pettiford Hayes made this quilt ca. 1955, The quilt was for Jimmy Brooks, son of Ms. Pettiford Hayes’ employers, James and Louise Brooks of Clayton Avenue, Roxboro.
She also made quilts for two other Brooks children.

Source: collection of the NC Museum of History.

Images left to right: Quilt back, feed sack logo; Portrait of Mamie and Leonard Bryan on porch in front of bedspread; Bottom images: Log Cabin quilt; Sixteen Patch quilt.
Images source: LOC COLLECTION
Quilts and Quiltmaking in America, 1978 to 1996.
.
LOC Article by Laurel Horton, July 1999 - Blue Ridge Quilters - Mamie Bryan

Mary Barnes hand-sewed this “Martha’s Choice”-pattern quilt ca. 1875-1900.

Ms. Barnes lived in Wilson County, where she was once enslaved.

This Cathedral Window Quilt was designed and created by quilter Viola Canady, (November 3, 1922 - March 21, 2009).

She used brightly colored African batik and printed fabrics set in black cloth—creating the effect of a stained-glass window.

This piece visually honors the communities around African American religious practices and quilting traditions.

Quilt Location: Collection
of the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum.