The Underground Railroad Quilts

The Underground Railroad Quilts refer to a popular theory that certain quilt patterns were used as clandestine signals for escaping slaves seeking freedom via the Underground Railroad. According to this idea, specific quilt designs—like the wagon wheel or bear claw—conveyed messages about safe routes, hiding places, or the next step in their journey. However, historians debate the accuracy of this narrative, with limited historical evidence supporting widespread use of quilts as communication tools. Nonetheless, the story has become a powerful symbol of ingenuity, resilience, and community during a time of great adversity.