Oakley Cabin Celebrates Women’s History Month – Virtual Quilting Workshop

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we will explore one of the most enduring and beautiful traditions of our foremothers – quilt making. Join us on Wednesday, March 23 at 7:00 – 8:15 pm, for a free virtual presentation, “Emancipation Day Quilting Workshop”* featuring educator and quilt artist, Kyna Clemons who conducted a previously recorded quilting workshop during the recent Maryland Emancipation Day celebration at Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park. Mrs. Clemons is owner and Lead Textile Quilt Artist at Gyame Quilt Studio, where she creates and teaches the art of quilting and the rich history of the African and African American quilting traditions.

Mrs. Clemons leads residents on a Sankofa journey to teach them how patchwork quilting was utilized for sustenance and ancestral connections by the Oakley community during the Reconstruction era. Through imaginary play and interactive dialogue, participants discovered what freedom was like for the newly-freed Africans. Believing strongly in the importance of both preserving African American history and portraying the Black narrative accurately for remembrance and reconciliation, Gyame Quilt Studio is excited to celebrate this monumental event. Like the fragile colorful threads in an old, tattered quilt, our heroic stories are deeply woven into Montgomery County’s intricate history.

During the 2022 season, you are invited to help create a community quilt celebrating freedom called the “Freedom Quilt.” When you visit the cabin collect a quilting packet and make your own quilt squares to add to the quilt that will be unveiled in November during Parks’ Maryland  Emancipation Day Celebration.

Gather together these items at home to follow along during the virtual  Emancipation Day Quilt Workshop* broadcast on March 23 at 7:00 pm:

• Various fabrics like old corduroy, gingham, lace, denim, African cotton fabrics
• Thread: embroidery thread or embroidery floss is best
• Needles: hand sewing or quilting, embroidery/applique
• Scissors
• Beads, sequins, ribbon, lace, etc.

(Click HERE to view the workshop AT 7:00 PM)

This event has been pre-recorded and question/comments are not being taken at this time.

*Please note that any information regarding the existence of quilts used in escape by freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad is a theory supported solely by Mrs. Clemon’s independent research. Montgomery Parks’ interpretation of the Underground Railroad does not support this theory.

This event will be held at Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park