Westford 5th and 6th graders worked together to create a Freedom Quilt as they learned about the history of the underground railroad. Below is a segment they wrote about this project, which you can see displayed next to the quilt in the hallway at Westford:
The Underground Railroad was a secret network of people, routes, and safe houses used to help enslaved individuals escape to freedom in the 19th-century United States. It is said that sometimes quilts were used to send hidden messages to slaves to help guide them on the difficult journey; these were called Freedom Quilts. During black history month, we made a Freedom Quilt and studied the Underground Railroad and some of the people like Harriet Tubman who had important roles in it. We all feel it was important to learn about the Underground Railroad and the people who risked their lives for others. The Underground Railroad was not only about slaves escaping but also a reminder that when people work together they can help each other. If we had not learned about the Underground Railroad we would not know about all of the challenges people met to earn their freedom.
Something about this project that was cool was that we got to choose a quilt pattern and make it. We hope you get a chance to check out our work if you come to Westford.