Teen program starts at Norway library

NORWAY — February is Black History Month and Teen Services at Norway Memorial Library will offer a program on Freedom Quilts and the Underground Railroad starting on Thursday, February 10 at 2:30 p.m.

Quilts played an important role in helping escaping slaves as they traveled North to reach Canada and freedom. Certain quilt block patterns were codes used by free blacks, ex-slaves, and black and white Abolitionists who gave shelter, food and clothes along the journey North.

During the month-long program, teens will have a chance to recreate a freedom quilt block pattern for themselves and to make additional blocks to add to a group quilt face representing these different signals slaves memorized to help them reach safety. They will also have the opportunity to create a timeline of the Underground Railroad period and map the routes slaves took to reach Canada. Of special note is the route through Maine, and the work done by the Maine Freedom Trails, Inc. to document and preserve Underground Railroad stations in Maine. According to the MFT association, there are 75 possible Underground Railroad associated sites in Maine.

This program is open to teens in grades seven-12 and will continue through February, Tuesdays through Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. when the Teen Room is open. For more information, call the Library at 743-5309 or e-mail norteen@norway.lib.me.us.