Pre-Civil War Quilts: Secret Codes to Freedom on the Underground Railroad

Tuesday, September 9 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

Arts & Education Center

6205 Mineral Point Road

Registration is Not Required

FREE PARKING

In her lecture Connie Martin tells the history of the Underground Railroad, safe routes used from South to North, and stories of how quilt codes and their meanings, were used to warn of dangers, indicate how transport might occur and who might help as “Friends” on the Underground Railroad. She includes information passed down to her, a sixth- generation descendant of captured slaves forced into slavery in America. She shares her knowledge originating from an information packed family Bible dating back to the 1850’s. It revealed key abolitionists, safe escape routes passing from Kentucky through counties in Illinois. She mesmerizes the audience with her visually stunning slides showing each quilt code within vibrant, fabric, quilt patterns along with instances of special stitching used in over a dozen beautifully hand-crafted quilt replicas; each sewn by her mother for this presentation.

Connie’s mother, Dr. Clarice Boswell, wrote a book, Lizzie’s Story: A Slave Family’s Journey to Freedom, the foundation of the presentation, and then created and performed this family presentation for 16 years.

Connie Martin is a retired middle school Language Arts teacher of 32 years, a 35-year Aqua Fitness Master Trainer, senior Fitness Instructor, mother, and G-Ma to four grandkids. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois State University where her thesis was on Integrating African American History in Educational Curriculums.                                                   

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Transportation Options:

Bicycle:  Bike racks are available

Bus: The BRT Route A bus  runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.  

Car: 

Questions?  Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com