Creative Quilts

Ohio History

Rainbow Apron

And last of all, here are a few fun pieces. This button apron was included the quilt display. It really is a work of art. Imagine collecting such an array of colorful buttons, arranging them in a pleasing pattern, and sewing every single one on - with pink thread! Did you even know some of these colors existed? If you look closely you just might see a gold star, a music note, and two silver sea shells. What else can you find? And then look beneath the buttons at the apron, which is actually a patchwork quilt itself. I do not even know where I would start putting something like this together. It certainly is beautiful though. The touch of lace around the edges is just right to finish it off.

Doll Quilt

This quilt, on the other hand, was actually in the National African American Museum's Doll exhibit (see it here), but it seemed fitting to include it with the quilts. In fact, you can see a bit of it in the Raggedy Ann & Andy display case from my post here. It is such an adorable quilt! I would not be surprised if the person who made it also sewed the dolls from scratch. Their tiny, delicate dresses coordinate perfectly with the quilt. I believe the hearts also have a bit of stuffing to give them some body. This was a perfect end to this fun display of dolls and quilts!

President Quilts

Ohio History

Faces of the White House

You may recognize several of the faces in this quilt. It gives a visual picture of the many lives spent working for political and social equality. Of course, the quilt celebrates the advent of the first African American President in the White House. However, it also gives a fuller picture of this culminating hope of the many famous and not-so-well-known people who worked and suffered in many different ways through history. The words "From Vision to Victory" stitched on the bottom epitomize this concept as well. I believe most, if not all, of this quilt is a preprinted background, embellished with detailed topstitching that is not readily apparent at first glance. But look closely at the sky above the White House and the stitching will pop out.

NBA Quilt

We also enjoyed this humorous but oh-so-true quilt. I think it speaks for itself. But be sure to take a second look at the outside border!

Kenya to Kansas Quilt

Ohio History

From Kenya to Kansas, the World Rejoices

Here is another quilt with a central White House theme - actually the White House seemed to recur frequently in the Journey of Hope in America quilt collection. This detailed, colorful quilt portrays the celebration of the election of the first African American President. People of all ethnic backgrounds, occupations, and social statuses exult in the victory. This quilt was aptly named From Kenya to Kansas, the World Rejoices. The detailed quilting is called applique, where instead of being sewn into the background, the figures are sewn on top of the background. A special machine stitch is applied around the outline of each colored piece of fabric to hold it in place. Once again, this quilt has detailed topstitching run all around the figures, which unifies the quilt and adds movement and excitement. The U.S. flag is represented with stars and wavy stripes. How many other flags can you find?

Politics Quilt

Ohio History

Journey of Equality

This quilt chronicles the journey of social equality through the legislative and judicial systems. Boxes of text around the outside display judiciary rulings, social protests and boycotts, and legislative bills, including, of course, the Civil Rights Act. The pictures inserted in between each box of information give a uniquely personal view of the journey - from the houses and churches where the day to day struggle took place, to the celebration of each small success. And framed in the center, appropriately, is the White House, the center of the political struggle. On an artistic note, did you notice that small pieces from the outer blue squares are combined to make a frame in the center? Combined with the swirling watercolored fabrics, these repeated colors help unify and brighten up the quilt.

Hope Quilt

Ohio History

Hope of a New Day Begun

This meticulously embroidered quilt presents a beautiful picture of hope. Intertwining ribbons lead through a brilliant blue sky to the central leaf image. This symbolic picture is an interesting choice to represent the hope of the present. Examining it more closely, you may notice the detailed loops of quilting that tie the parts together. Along with sewing on the many little letters, this quilt must have required a good bit of work and patience. It turned out beautifully in every way. The words come from the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by James Weldon Johnson. The song was first written as a poem to introduce Booker T. Washington as the guest of honor at the Stanton School in Jacksonville, Florida, where Johnson was the principal. The lyrics were later set to music by Johnson's brother, creating this beautiful song of liberty:

 

Lift every voice and sing,
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers died?

We have come over a way that with tears have been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who hast by Thy might

Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee;
Lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee,
Shadowed beneath thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.



Collage Quilt

Ohio History

Red, White, and Blue

Next we found a very different kind of quilt. The abstract colors and shapes contrasted sharply with the realistic representations of the last quilt. It definitely has a patriotic theme with the colors, but other than that, this one is open for interpretation. It was very intriguing to examine the materials that the quilt was made of though - all kinds of fabric, beads, buttons, trimmings, and even letters. And did you notice the fringes on the bottom? It would be amazing to watch someone put a quilt like this together!

Underground Railroad

Ohio History

The Journey Ends

Our quilt journey continued from the plantation to the Underground Railroad. A green snaking path amid forest browns symbolized the winding and treacherous path to freedom. Markers commemorated the Underground Railroad stations in northeast Ohio, many of them in Cleveland where certain freedom was just across Lake Erie. Old photographs transferred onto fabric made a very interesting representation of these stations. Below, in another portion of the quilt, we see the runaway slaves hiding in the bare trees under the light of the moon, moving stealthily toward the north. It is difficult to even comprehend what these slaves went through for the right to live in freedom.

Plantation Quilt

Ohio History

Black and White

The Journey of Hope in America display at the National Afro American Museum featured over 90 quilts. They commemorated the culture and history of the African American people, inspired by the election of President Obama. The quilt above seemed an appropriate beginning for the exhibit. Its artistic images portray the vast disparity between the life of the White and the Black in early America. The symbols for justice, equity, and freedom for all contrast sharply with people being treated and traded as property. The building in the middle, Fisk University, is a thought-provoking addition to the quilt scene. Fisk University was founded just after the Civil War as a school for recently-freed slave families. It is located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school originated the Jubilee Singers, an African American a capella ensemble which broke away from traditional "Black minstrel" music. The group was begun to raise money for the school, but went on to become world famous, even performing at the White House. As you can see, the quilt is tied together in more ways than one.

Instruments

Ohio History

Making Music

We also enjoyed examining a display of traditional African instruments. Many were made and played by African Americans in early America as well. The topmost instrument was fairly recognizable as a xylophone, but the others were more difficult to distinguish. I am sure they all had special names, but sadly I do not remember them. On the right are some kind of morocco or shaker instruments, and the one beside those looks suspiciously like a guitar. I have played a typical guitar, and I really must say I think this one looks as though it could fall apart if it got into my hands!

African Drum

 This instrument is the "Dun Dun Drum" and originates from West Africa. It is also called the African Talking Drum since the drummer can actually change the pitch of the drum. This is accomplished by squeezing and releasing the strings that run the length of the drum, which changed the size of the drum and thus the sound produced. These drums could be used to send messages and announce visiting groups from very long distances.

Baskets

Ohio History

Basket Display

Dolls are not the only special exhibit I have visited at the National Afro American Museum. My family returned to the museum a year later to see a special display of quilts. On our way in, we stopped to admire this beautiful basket collection. There were baskets of all shapes, sizes, and colors - certainly serving artistic purposes as well as practical. A sign explained how some baskets were woven, such as the ones on the left-hand side with a square checkerboard appearance. Others were coil baskets, made from concentric circles of material fastened together. The purple-accented baskets at the top right are examples of coil baskets. I was amazed to see the varied purposes of the baskets, ranging from gathering and storage to table ornamentation. It would certainly be fascinating to watch the process of making one of these baskets!

Cabbage Patch Dolls

Ohio History

Cabbage Patch Family

And finally, last of all, we meet the Cabbage Patch babies. Don't you just have to smile at them, all decked out in their grown-up clothes? The sports uniforms are so cute. These are some of the few dolls in the Afro American Museum exhibit that might appeal to boys. Cabbage Patch dolls were first manufactured in 1978 under the name Little People. They reached their height in the 80's, but continue to be sold today. I remember growing up with several Cabbage Patch dolls, including the bald-headed Baby Rose doll who always had to wear her little pink hood. My sister's doll was named Lily, and believe it or not, she was identical to the astronaut doll in the display. At first we thought Lily had decided to go to space! I must say, a Cabbage Patch doll looks pretty good in a spacesuit!

Lily the Astronaut

 

Talking Doll

Ohio History

Speaking Baby

My sister and I thought this talking doll was especially cool. I wish I could have actually heard her talk! She is once again on the dark end of the skin tone spectrum, with typically-portrayed African features. There is ongoing controversy about exaggeration of racial features on dolls for children. A museum sign did discuss how giving African American children ethnically correct dolls allows them to build self-esteem and self-acceptance. Such dolls are also beneficial to children of other cultures, helping to make them open to people of all racial backgrounds. It was interesting to consider the many roles this doll could have played in a child's life.

American Girl Doll

Ohio History

Addy the American Girl

This doll from the American Girl collection filled a complete display case with her accessories. Named Addy Walker, based on the African name Aduke, she was released in 1993. She was the company's very first African American doll. This is remarkable since American Girl had been producing dolls since 1986 and had already released Native American and Mexican characters. Addy was the fifth historical character of the American Girls and represents the Civil War era. She is based on the American Girl book series by her name, in which Addy and her mother escape from slavery to Pennsylvania. The books explore economic and social issues through Addy's life in Philadelphia. The scene below is from the second American Girl book, Addy Learns a Lesson.

Addy at the Schoolhouse

More Dolls

Ohio History

Changing Dolls

Now we see the doll types divide into two branches. One produces baby dolls to amuse young children. The other explores the world of collectible dolls for show. Such dolls fill the upper left hand area of the display case above, as well as the exhibit below. By comparing the two, you can see the ornate clothing and hairstyles multiplying with time. Did you notice the glittering princess doll on the left side of the photo below? On the other hand, the baby dolls for children's hands have also experienced change. Many are now made in part or whole from plastic, with realistic faces and hands. Their clothing is commercially made and could pass for baby clothes. My sister and I especially admired the twins at the top right in white and blue. I even still remember their names - Nathan and Natalie!

Ethnic Dolls

Ohio History

Rainbow of Dolls

Moving through time, here is the next generation of dolls. Many still look handmade, though probably sewn on a machine from store-bought cloth. Aren't the Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy just adorable? You might have noticed the extreme range of skin colors of the dolls, from beige and bronze to mahogany and olive brown. In fact, a number of dolls preserved from this time period have overly exaggerated features and skin colors. This no doubt came from the strong prejudice against African Americans at the time. Thankfully, realistic dolls were also made during this time. Despite the skin color, I just had to include a close-up of the Grandma dolly doing her sewing in her little rocking chair.

Grandma Dolly

First Dolls

Ohio History

Afro American Dolls

Besides its permanent historical exhibit, the National Afro American Museum also features specially-themed rotating exhibits that center on African American culture. On our first visit to the museum, we had the pleasure of viewing an exhibit of over 100 dolls spanning 200 years of history. Our journey began with the case above, showing the very earliest African American dolls of the collection. I can just imagine a small child sitting on the doorstep of a plantation shanty, cuddling the wooden doll on the far left in a blanket scrap. The likeness of the center front doll to a cotton-picking slave is remarkable. And I wouldn't be surprised if the right-hand doll were made of corn husks. It is amazing to see the ingenuity used to create such life-like playthings for the young generation.

Car & Cameras

Ohio History

Orange Car

This car was also on display in the Fifties exhibit. It reminds me of the ones you see in those really old TV shows. Quite classy, I must say, though orange wouldn't be my top choice. But interestingly enough, I just saw an orange car at the Ohio History Center's Fifties exhibit nearly identical to this one!

Old Cameras

There were also plenty of smaller artifacts on display. These cameras were especially interesting. Of course, they were a great improvement over the large black boxes with hoods on those big stands, where taking one photograph was a long production. But compared to today's cameras, these are still big and cumbersome. And check out the flash bulb apparatus on the left hand device. Now we have devices an eighth the size that not only take pictures, but also access the Internet, make phone calls, and so much more. What a difference 75 years makes.

Kitchen

Ohio History

Afro-American Kitchen

Just across from the living room was a Fifties-style kitchen. Despite the fact that it contained basically the same elements as today's kitchen, the distinct mid-twentieth century look was obvious. White aluminum, clean rounded edges, and silver accessories characterize appliances from this time. Not to mention the sea green floor. Of course, there are a couple vitally important things missing, such as the microwave, dishwasher, toaster, and coffee maker. I don't know how they ever got along back then! In any case, this family was definitely well-to-do with such a modernly furnished kitchen. In fact, many African Americans who had been involved in World War II were very well off during the Fifties.

Living Room

Ohio History

Fifties House

The Fifties exhibit at the National Afro American Museum featured a partial life-sized house with historical furniture. The living room did not look much different from our own, except for the bright colors and patterns. I can't get over the orange couch! Black panther figurines like the one on the coffee table were common during the time. Many were symbolic of the Black Panther Party, which positioned itself as an African American nationalist organization. This was just one group under the term "Black Power" advocates, which sought racial freedom using more aggressive methods.

Living Room

A nearby display discussed the high importance of family to the typical African American of the Fifties. Distance was not a factor when coming together to celebrate family events (weddings, reunions, funerals, etc.). Most households included not only two-parent families, but also grandparents, cousins, and unmarried adult children. So I can imagine a house like the one above could have been quite crowded.

National Afro American Museum

Ohio History

Signing of the Civil Rights Act

And now it is time to pay a visit to another Ohio historical site. The National Afro American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce offers a unique combination of arts, culture, and history for a diverse visitor experience. The museum's main display focuses on the Afro-American experience in the US during the Fifties (1945 - 1965). This era was characterized by demographic and social changes in the Afro-American community. These events are chronicled throughout the museum through wall-size photographs, such as the one above, a historically-furnished house, and many period artifacts such as the poster below. This sign from the Freedom Movement stresses the fact that racial freedom is economic as well as political.

Civil Rights Sign