The Underground The Underground RailroadRailroad

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

The Underground The Underground Railroad QuiltsRailroad Quilts

secrets to a successful secrets to a successful escapeescape

Use of QuiltsUse of Quilts

• slaves used a quilt code to slaves used a quilt code to navigate the Underground navigate the Underground RailroadRailroad

• quilts with patterns contained quilts with patterns contained secret messages that helped secret messages that helped direct slaves to freedomdirect slaves to freedom

How Did The Quilts How Did The Quilts Work?Work?

• a plantation seamstress would sew a a plantation seamstress would sew a sampler quilt containing the ten quilt sampler quilt containing the ten quilt patterns patterns

• slaves would use the sampler to memorize slaves would use the sampler to memorize the codethe code

• the seamstress sewed ten quilts, each the seamstress sewed ten quilts, each composed of one of the code's patterns, composed of one of the code's patterns, and hung the quilts in full view one at a and hung the quilts in full view one at a time, allowing the slaves to remember time, allowing the slaves to remember their meanings their meanings

How Did The Quilts How Did The Quilts Work?Work?

Quilts

A Sampler QuiltA Sampler Quilt

What Were the What Were the Patterns?Patterns?

Monkey Wrench

the monkey wrench told slaves to prepare the tools they would need for the long journey, including mental and spiritual tools

Wagon Wheel Load

the wagon wheel load told slaves to board the wagon to begin the escape

Bear’s Paw

bear’s paw told slaves to take a mountain trail, out of view

following the bear tracks would lead you to water and food

Crossroads crossroads referred to

Cleveland, Ohio

this destination offered several routes to freedom

it also signified a point where a person’s life would change

Log Cabin

log cabin was a secret symbol that could be drawn on the ground

it meant that a person was safe to talk to

it also advised seeking shelter

Shoofly

shoofly identified a friendly guide who is nearby and can help

Bowtie

the bowtie told slaves that it was necessary to travel in disguise

or to change from the clothing of a slave to those of a person of higher status

Flying Geese flying geese meant to

follow the direction of the flying geese as they migrated north in the spring

most slaves escaped during the spring; along the way, the flying geese could be used as a guide to find water, food and places to rest

Drunkard's Path

drunkard’s path told slaves to avoid walking in a straight line

a zig-zag path helped avoid pursuers in the area

Star

the star meant to follow the North Star

it was a reference to the Big Dipper constellation

More QuiltsMore Quilts

More Quilts IIMore Quilts II

More Quilts IIIMore Quilts III

Now…Now…YOU tell me what these mean!YOU tell me what these mean!