Quilts: Underground Railroad
These sites are about the Underground Railroad and the secret codes it used. Here you can find background information, a glossary of code terms, maps, and interactive features. Students can design their own quilt blocks and learn about African American quilting traditions. Included is an eThemes resource on the Underground Railroad.
Grades
- 1,
- 2,
- 3
Links
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Lesson Plans: Quilting: The story of the Underground Railroad
This lesson uses the Internet to research the dangers that escaping slaves faced along the Underground Railroad.
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Underground Railroad Quilt Code
Learn about secret messages hidden in quilt patterns that helped slaves escape captivity.
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Putting it in Perspective: The Symbolism of Underground Railroad Quilts
This site provides the historical context for understanding quilts created by the Underground Railroad. NOTE: This site includes ads.
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Virtual Underground Railroad Quilt
Click on the panels of the quilt to learn more about the Underground Railroad.
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The Underground Railroad Quilt Code
This is a critical assessment of the Underground Railroad Quilt Code that educators can read before deciding to use Quilt Code lessons in their classrooms.
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National Geographic: The Underground Railroad
This is a media-rich site that tries to give you a sense of what slavery was like. You are a slave on the Underground Railroad and have to make decisions on the path toward freedom. Don't miss the drop-down box at the top, which has a timeline, information about key people, and more. NOTE: The site includes ads.
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African American Quilting Traditions
Learn about African American quilting traditions and practices on this richly illustrated page.
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Pathways to Freedome
Learn all about the Underground Railroad on this interactive site. Click on "Create a Quilt Block" to design your own quilt.
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PBS: The Underground Railroad
This resource for teachers contains an overview of what the Underground Railroad was and how it worked.
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Harriet Powers
Learn about this African American quilter whose work now hangs in the Smithsonian.
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eThemes Resource: Slavery: The Underground Railroad
These sites are about the Underground Railroad movement that helped runaway slaves escape to Canada. Learn about Harriet Tubman and other influential leaders. Listen to songs and read the lyrics that secretly told the escape route. Play a game that allows you to face the same decisions the runaway slaves faced. Includes maps and historic photographs, plus a link to an eThemes Resource on the slave trade.
Education Standards
- AR
- AL
- NV
- UT
