This week the US Postal releases its list of upcoming commemorative honorees for 2026 here.
I have to admit that at first, I wondered who Harriet Powers was. After seeing the beautiful folk quilt work, I quickly realized that a quilter was being honored. As an abstract art quilter for over 20 years, I feel honored as well.
In reading more about Harriet, it struck me that she learned to sew in spite of being born into slavery in 1837 and on a Georgia plantation. She told biblical stories with her quilts through original designs, applique and hand quilting. Learn more here https://www.si.edu/object/1885-1886-harriet-powerss-bible-quilt%3Anmah_556462
Her quilts from the late 1800’s tell biblical stories from the Old and New Testaments are housed in the permanent collection of the Museum of American History at the Smithsonian. There are works also at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston at https://collections.mfa.org/objects/116166.
The Georgia Women of Achievement organization provide a good treatment at https://www.georgiawomen.org/harriett-powers.
The Smithsonian displays her biblical quilts in its permanent collection.
https://www.si.edu/object/1885-1886-harriet-powerss-bible-quilt%3Anmah_556462
Check out the printable version of the USPS upcoming releases here – https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2025/1029-usps-provides-sneak-peek-at-2026-stamps.pdf.
State of Stamp Collecting 
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