U.S. Postal Service Honors Quiltmaker Harriet Powers with New Stamps
Commemorating Harriet Powers: A Stitch in Time
On February 28, 2026, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will celebrate the life and artistry of Harriet Powers, a remarkable quiltmaker who lived from 1837 to 1910, by releasing four new commemorative stamps. Powers, a formerly enslaved woman, is hailed for creating quilts that are not only artistic masterpieces but also important narratives of African American folklore and biblical stories.
A Legacy of Art and Storytelling
Born on a Georgia plantation, Harriet Powers developed her sewing skills as a child. After marrying Armstead Powers, an enslaved farmhand, she eventually gained freedom following the Civil War. With her husband, she purchased land in Sandy Creek, Georgia, and began a life of farming while also nurturing her passion for quilting.
Powers's works exhibit rich narratives, with two of her quilts—known as story quilts—depicting scenes crafted from local lore and biblical tales. Her notable quilts include the