During the Second Great Migration (1940 to 1970), many African Americans who fled the rural South brought quilts on their journeys north and west. Along with comfort and warmth, the textiles were also a source of ancestral memory and cultural survival. The NMWA focuses on more than 80 colorful quilts carried to California, showcasing the rich techniques, varied materials and liberating practices that distinguish this traditional craft. Pictured: A round pillow brought to California during the Second Great Migration.
