An American Quilt: Unfolding a Story of Family and Slavery

In "An American Quilt," Rachel May delves into the often-overlooked narratives of slavery in the North, exploring the connections between the agrarian South and industrial North during the antebellum era. The journey begins with the discovery of an unfinished quilt from the 1830s, revealing the lives of four enslaved women—Minerva, Eliza, Jane, and Juba—and their owner, Susan Crouch. Through this remarkable textile, May uncovers the rich history and complex bonds of urban slavery, weaving together a poignant examination of a craft that links us to the past.