Memories of Durham Story Quilt
Each element on this quilt features different stories from throughout Durham's history. The quilt was originally inspired by the countless oral histories collected by the Museum of Durham History, featuring people with first-hand experience of these events. Click on a button and learn about the different memories of Durham's citizens.
Click a circle to learn more.
The original quilt was created for the Museum of Durham History, completed in January of 2017. The Memories of Durham Story Quilt celebrates Durham's shared heritage, depicted in cloth. The quilt is based on oral histories recorded for the Museum of Durham History Story Room Project. People from diverse backgrounds recalled their memories of Durham during the 19402 to the 1980s, and a selection of these stories formed the basis for the quilt's design.
The quilters expressed their artistic interpretation of these memories by using pictures, texts, and fabrics to stitch together pieces, objects and vignettes that capture a collective remembrance deeply rooted in struggle, pride, and community.
The quilters hope the Memories of Durham Story Quilt will inspire visitors to the Museum of Durham History to reflect on, remember, and share their own stories and convey the message, "Your Memories Matter!"
We extend a special thank you to the original contributors to the concept, development, design, and creation of the Memories of Durham Story Quilt: Katie Spencer Wright, Founding Executive Director, Museum of Durham History; Sauda Zahra, Story Quilt Project Lead; Jereann King Johnson, Quilter; Veronica Carlisle, Quilter; Nancy Cash, Quilter; Cheryl Breeze, Quilter. This digital presentation of the quilt would not have been possible without the help of the following Museum volunteers: Tom Clayton, Martha Scotford, Bob Pozner, Niyah Major, Cameron Johnson, Alice Chen, Michael Li, and Amy Chou. The Memories of Durham Story Quilt digital presentation project was led by Anmol Sapru and Clay Harrison, and implemented by Carol Thomson and FireStream Media.