Who is Maria Rogers Martin?
And why build a Living History Museum honoring her and Freedom Seekers like her?
Maria's Living History tells the story of the courage, integrity, strength, wisdom, and tenacity woven through the tapestry of African American heritage that is often overlooked and undervalued in our society.
In 1861, Maria Rogers Martin was brought to Lawrence, KS against her will by Union Soldiers, who referred to her as “contraband”. Her life on the Missouri plantation as well as her post-war life in Kansas are well-documented by Jennie Brooks, a journalist whom Maria cared for as a child.
Despite the racism still prevalent in this "free" state, Maria always believed in her core that she was equal, thus she refused to allow any person or institution to treat her otherwise. Maria utilized the skills and education she acquired while enslaved to create a robust life for herself in Lawrence.
In addition to being a quilter (with the oldest known preserved quilts created by an enslaved person), Maria was the first African American to bring a lawsuit against the city of Lawrence for negligence in repairing city sidewalks. Previously it was unheard of for African Americans to challenge authority in this way, and this action serves as just one of many examples of her boldness, courage, and conviction.
We intend to use art to tell the story of Maria and other Freedom Seekers like her because their challenges and triumphs are shared across generations in a post-slavery world where freedom is offered and still has yet to be fully realized.
We believe the best way forward is by first taking time to look back.
The story of Maria's forced march and her experiences as a skilled needlewoman and quilt maker are the focus of exhibitions and student work in the African American Quilt Museum and Textile Academy. These works were also featured at the National African American Quilt Convention. The bedcovers Maria made were not ordinary scrap quilts, but traditional quilts made for her owner's beds. The workmanship on the two existing quilts credited to Maria is extraordinary. One shows a "Feathered Star" pattern and the other a "Mississippi Oak Leaf" pattern.
Learn more about Maria Rogers Martin & the story behind her quilts at https://naaqc.org.