Discover the history of a Black women-owned and operated quilt manufacturing facility—the Freedom Quilting Bee. It is a captivating journey through time, culture, and craftsmanship. The business co-operative began in 1966. At the height of operations this business employed 150 women, working two shifts manufacturing quilts for the retail market. These resilient sharecropping women came out of the fields, built a business that negotiated and maintained contracts with Sears, Bloomingdale’s, interior designers in New York and other major American retailers.
Their quilts were purchased in the mid-1960s by Jackson Pollock, Diana Vreeland and others of arts and fashion communities of the period. These purchases partially funded the cost of construction in 1969 of the 4200 square foot building that stands now as a museum to honor the women who founded and worked at the Freedom Quilting Bee.
Learn of their leadership and commitment to the work for Civil Rights, Voting Rights and Women’s Rights movements during the tumult of those struggles; learn of the marches, and the arrests. Learn of the strategizing employed locally for desegregation of Wilcox County schools. Delve into the heartwarming stories intricately stitched into every quilt, showcasing a profound heritage of creativity and community resilience that continues to inspire.
Join us at the Freedom Quilting Bee each Saturday at 11am for this docent led tour, no advanced registration needed.
Suggested donation: $15 per person.
Private tours are available by contacting The Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy at (334) 573-2065 or by emailing info@FQBLegacy.org.
Speakers Bureau and Group Visit Scheduling
The Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy facilitates and schedules speakers and quilt demonstrations and storytelling by Gee’s Bend quilters for group visits to the area and/or outside engagements.The Speakers Bureau experience is customized for your needs and interests and take place at the Freedom Quilting Bee building or at a location of your choosing. Cost for this experience varies based on location, size of your group and other factors. Please contact us at 334-573-2065 or info@FQBLegacy.org for information on scheduling a Speakers Bureau experience for your group.