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on their way.

The 'Monkey Wrench' pattern meant "gather your tools and get ready." The 'Wagon Wheel' signaled "pack for a long journey". The 'Bear's Paw' directed slaves to follow bear tracks through the Appalachian mountains, because bears always knew where to find food and water. Crossroads' refers to Cleveland, Ohio, which offered several routes to freedom. The Log Cabin' symbol indicated a safe house, or someone who is safe to talk to. Shoofly' may identify a friendly guide. The Bowtie' instructs the escapee to wear a disguise. Flying Geese' indicates a direction to follow. Drunkard's Path' warns of pursuers in the area, and the North Star' pattern refers to the guiding star Polaris.

The authenticity of the quilt code story has been challenged by quilt historians and Underground Railroad experts. There is a distinct lack of corroborating evidence in 19th century slave narratives or the 1930s oral testimonies of former slaves. Author Dobard responds that the lack of evidence is not surprising, since quilts are fragile and the code was a carefully-guarded secret which could not be allowed to fall into the wrong hands.

After a detailed examination of the designs and other evidence, quilt historian Patricia Cummings, stated in 2005: "This new American myth' is becoming so ingrained in the American psyche that trying to combat its illogical nature is like trying to shovel sand against the tide. People, for some reason, want desperately to believe the legend, in the same way that a child needs to believe that there is a Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or Leprechauns. In the years that anyone has searched for real and tangible evidence of this secret quilt code,' simply no proof has been forthcoming."

Myth or not, the romance of the Patchwork Path to freedom has captivated large segments of the population and is being taught as fact in many schools. It will probably remain a permanent part of Underground Railroad lore.

Do you want to conduct your own investigation? Check out these sites:
http://educ.queensu.ca/~fmc/ma y2004/Underground.html
The freedom quilt code

http://www.reallygoodstuff .com/pdfs/154227.pdf
patterns for the quilt designs

http://www.osblackhisto ry.com/quilts.php
Underground quilt history

http://news.nationalgeo graphic.com/news/2004/02/0205_ 040205_slavequilts.html
Nationa l Geographic story

http://archiver.rootsweb. com/th/read/UNDERGROUND-RR/200 2-03/1017087442
a refutation of the quilt code story

http://www.quilthistory.c om/ugrrquilts.htm
Quilt history with extensive links

http://www.quiltersmuse.c om/underground_railroad_and_qu ilts_blocks.htm
a critical examination of the quilt code tradition

Learn more about this author, Christine G..
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