From Fabric to Freedom: Lakeland Quilt Display Brings Black History to Life

By Carol A. Gasser Moore / *Ingles y española |

LAKELAND, Ga. – History doesn’t always live in textbooks—sometimes it’s sewn together with needle and thread.   

That idea will be front and center during the Black History Quilt Display hosted by the Child Resource Center in Lakeland, where quilts will be showcased not just as works of art, but as living pieces of African American history.

The display will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at 52 S. 7th Street, Lakeland, GA 31635, and is open to the public as part of Black History Month celebrations.

African American quilts played an essential role in the past. They kept families warm during long nights and, according to oral tradition, helped guide people to freedom by day through symbolic patterns and designs. These quilts carried messages, memories, and meaning—often stitched quietly during times when voices could not be raised.

Guests attending the Lakeland display will be treated to a variety of community quilts, each representing the legacy of sewing as a form of storytelling. Adding to the experience, informal lectures will be offered throughout the day, helping visitors understand the historical importance of quilts and the cultural knowledge embedded in their designs.

Organizers say the event is meant to be both educational and enjoyable, offering an opportunity to see history up close while celebrating creativity and heritage.

For more information about the display, the public may contact LaFayne Brockington at 229-482-5107.

With history stitched into every square, the Child Resource Center invites the community to come learn, listen, and celebrate the enduring legacy of African American quilts.

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For our Spanish speakers /  Para nuestros hablantes de español

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