11/03/2025
As a quilter, I loved seeing this story. And some of my ancestors were from Arkansas which made this even more special! Do YOU have a quilt that was from someone in your past? We will have a meeting in 2026 where we can share our quilt stories! I look forward to hearing yours!
The Quilt Train of Arkansas, 1935
In the Ozarks, women took their quilts on trains — selling and trading them with neighboring towns. They used colorful fabrics from old clothes and blankets, piecing them together with needles and threads from their limited resources.
“The quilt was our ticket,” said Mary Jane Roberts. “It carried warmth across the tracks.”
Each quilt told a story of resilience and survival, woven into every square. They became local treasures, quilts of warmth traded for bread, coal, or kindness.
