Washington D.C. Temple Hosts African-American Exhibit
   
Meridian Magazine



Quilt
One of the fascinating “documentary quilts” that are on display at the Visitors' Center.
The Washington Temple Visitors' Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and The Northern Arundel Cultural Preservation Society announce the opening of “Trails, Tracks, Tarmac: Lives of African Americans in the History and Culture of Northern Anne Arundel County, 1850 to Present,” which will run through March 2008.

This unique and eclectic exhibit highlights the culture, history, and lives of people who lived in African-American communities both large and unincorporated. Families, churches, schools, sports—each of these components of daily life is captured in an array of handmade quilts, murals, art, and artifacts created by the descendants of those who settled the Harman/Dorsey communities in northern Anne Arundel County.

This exhibition of historical treasures spans nearly 100 years. It includes land documents from the 1800s, photos depicting life throughout the 20th century, farm implements circa 1920, “Arabber” accounts and memorabilia from the 1940s, school histories dating back to 1898, railroad equipment and collectibles, stunning “documentary quilts,” and much more. Through diverse media, history unfolds and reveals cultural interdependence and rich relationships.

The public is cordially invited to view this fascinating exhibit as part of the Visitors' Center annual commemoration of Black History Month. The exhibition will run through March 2008. The exhibit and programs are free of charge, except for the March 1 program described below.

Remaining events include:

Saturday, February 16: Fireside Chat featuring music and stories from the exhibitors who captured the histories of their people.

Saturday, March 1: Quilt-making workshop. Come and learn how to create a memory quilt block such as the ones featured in the exhibit quilts. There is a $15 charge for materials. Registration is required. Call 301-587-0144.

The Washington D. C. Temple Visitors' Center is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and is located at 9900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, Maryland. For further information and directions, call 301-587-0144.