A History of Gee’s Bend GEE’S BEND is surrounded on three sides by water. This The Gee’s Bend water is a large bend in the Quilt Mural Alabama River. The community Trail is collectively known as Gee’s Bend but has been renamed Top Row Top Row Top Row Top Row Top Row Boykin. This area Mary Lee Bendolph Minnie Sue Ruthy Mosely Lottie Mooney Loretta Pettway was founded by Born 1935 Coleman Born 1926 1908-1992 Born 1942 the Gee family in “Housetop” Born 1926 “Nine Patch” “Housetop– Four- “Roman Stripes” variation “Pig in a Pen” Blocks. Half-Log variation or Crazy the early 1800’s. medallion Cabin” variation Quilt The Gee family sold the land to Bottom Row Bottom Row Bottom Row Bottom Row Bottom Row Alonzia Pettway Annie Mae Young Loretta Pettway Jessie T. Pettway Patty Ann Williams Mark Pettway in Born 1923 Born 1928 Born 1942 Born 1929 1898-1972 1845. “Chinese Coins” “Blocks And “Medallion” “Bars and String- “Medallion with variation Stripes” Pieced Columns” checker board center” ALA-TOM RC&D Selma Post Office Box 355 • 16 West Front Street South WILCOX Alabama’s Front Porches: Thomasville Thomasville, Alabama 36784 Phone (334) 636-0120 Fax (334) 636-0122 famous for great Southern food, Established in November 2008. hospitality and architecture, Gee’s Bend Quilt Collective beautiful pastoral landscapes, Directions: From Location: N32°10’26.5”W087°21’42.2” a rich cultural and agricultural Ms. Mary Ann Pettway (334) 682-2535 Montgomery, go west on US heritage, outdoor recreation 80 to Selma. Go west on AL Resources: opportunities and some of the 22 that becomes AL 5 South. Near Alberta at mile-marker www.alabamafrontporches.com finest antiquing around. 32, go southeast on CR 29 www.blackbelttreasures.com for 14 miles. Turn left toward www.geesbendferry.com Come join us on our front Boykin Nutrition Site for 1 www.quiltsofgeesbend.com porch and sit a spell. mile to the Quilters Collective. For more on the Gee’s Bend Quilt Mural Trail, visit www.alabamafrontporches.com/quilts www.alabamafrontporches.com The Gee’s Bend Quilt Mural Trail The Gee’s Bend Quilt Loretta Pettway called To AL Hwy 5 Quilters’ Facility Mural Trail begins at the Medallion. The sixth Freedom Quilting Bee. quilt is by Ms. Mary Lee Ms. Patty Ann Williams’ Bendolph and it is called quilt “Medallion with “Housetop” variation. Checkerboard Center” At the old school Ms. MAKING THINGS is the first piece that Ruthy Mosely’s quilt HAPPEN IN you will see. The second is displayed; it is called ALABAMA quilt, “Blocks and Stripes” “Nine Patch”. You will is by Ms. Annie Mae then see the eighth quilt Made possible by a grant from Young . The third quilt which is another piece ALA-TOM RC&D Roland Cooper is by Ms. Minnie Sue by Ms. Loretta Pettway and the State Park Coleman “Pig in a Pen”. called “Roman Stripes” following collaborations: Ferry Landing At the stop sign turning variation or the local The University of Alabama toward the Gee’s Bend name is the “Crazy Quilt” Center for Ferry you will see quilt The ninth quilt is by Ms. Economic Development To Camden The Gee’s Bend Community: quilts are housed at number four by Ms. Jessie T. Pettway called • Southwest Alabama Lottie Mooney called Bars and String- Pieced Tourism & Film Office The Gee’s Bend community has become the Community House, “Housetop”-Four Blocks Columns. Coming back famous for its quilts, which are now highly which can be visited by • Gee’s Bend appointment. or “Half-Log Cabin” around to the Ferry you Quilters Collective prized by collectors and were celebrated nationally in 2006 in a U.S. postage stamp variation. Down from will find the tenth quilt • Wilcox County There is no food available series. The quilters usually gather at the the Quilters Collective by Ms. Alonzia Pettway Commission in Gee’s Bend, so plan Boykin Nutrition Center by 8:30 am and you will find the fifth called “Chinese Coins” _______ accordingly. quilt until 1:30 pm Monday through quilt made by Ms. variation. Peggy Pugh: (334) 636-0120 See the story of a community told through the fabric of their lives. Thursday, but this may vary. Gee’s Bend Linda Vice: (334) 636-5506 A Perfect Ending Gee’s Bend Ferry Black Belt Treasures After traveling along the trail, take the Gee’s The Ferry crosses the Alabama River several times daily, Black Belt Treasures is a non-profit organization with Bend Ferry for a scenic ride across the river. linking Gee’s Bend and Camden. Gee’s Bend Park, on the a retail gallery featuring artwork, sculpture, pottery, End the day shopping at Black Belt Treasures. left above the ferry stop, has a pavilion and a small deck woodwork, baskets, jewelry, books (and quilts from overlooking the river. Here, you can observe many birds, the Gee’s Bend Quilters). Camden, Alabama. including White Pelicans, Cormorants and ducks. (334) 682 9878. www.blackbelttreasures.com (251) 861-3000. www.geesbendferry.com Nearby Attractions Photos courtesy Joe Watts and Billy Milstead We would like to express our thanks to Tyree McCloud for his artistic ability in putting the murals together for the trail. www.alabamafrontporches.com.