Fort Scott National Historic Site will be offering a two day symposium entitled “Voices from the Quilts”, March 29 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The event will feature an exhibit of nine 19^th century quilts as well as five speakers.  Mildred Jordt, a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara – Three Affiliated Tribes, will be presenting information on Native American quilts and quilters.  Bernita Hill, a resident of Fort Scott and quilt historian, will discuss quilts as a form of communication on the Underground Railroad. Jean Warren of Liberty, Missouri, will be presenting information on historic quilts and fabrics of the 19^th century.  Carol Dage and Carolyn Wallingford of the National Park Service will be on hand to present information on the preservation of hundred year old textiles.

Quilting provided 19^th century women a means of creative expression and a social outlet within the gender roles of the day.  Their quilts offered warmth, comfort, and beauty but also provided a way to preserve memories of home, important events, and daily life. Conservation and study of their work and continuing practice of the craft is important to keeping their stories alive. 

Until recently, quilts have been overlooked as a record of the past and the women who made them mostly forgotten.  Study and interest in quilts as a part of women’s history is gaining acceptance.  Quilts reveal and preserve family histories as the fabric scraps used to make them can be used to recall special people, possessions, and events. Some theorize different quilt patterns were used as signs that led weary slaves to freedom.  Quilting was even adopted and used by Native peoples with certain patterns holding special meaning. They are often given as special gifts among American Indians.

This event is the culmination of Women’s History Month activities at Fort Scott National Historic Site. The site also features an exhibit on loan from the Kansas State Historical Society entitled “Reflections of the War: Kansas Women and Their Civil War Quilts”. The exhibit will run from March 1 through March 31.

The symposium is funded in part by the Kansas Humanities Council, a nonprofit cultural organization promoting understanding of the history, traditions, and ideas that shape our lives and build community.

Western National Parks Association, a cooperating association established to further interpretation in the National Parks, has also contributed to the project.

If you wish to attend the symposium and have special needs because of a disability, please contact Colette LeFebvre-Davis at 620-223-0310 to discuss arrangements.