Every stitch tells a story. Every pattern holds a legacy.
This past February, Clayton County, GA came together to celebrate Black history, excellence, and resilience in a powerful way.
The Stitching Our Story: A Celebration of Black History Quilt Show welcomed visitors, history lovers, HBCU alumni, and community members to Jonesboro, GA for a month-long cultural experience that left a lasting impression.
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Here is a look at what made this exhibit so meaningful and the impact it had on visitors and our community.
What Was the Stitching Our Story Quilt Show?
The Stitching Our Story Quilt Show: A Celebration of Black History was a free public exhibition held throughout February in celebration of Black History Month. The exhibit took place at the Clayton County Convention and Visitors Bureau office in Jonesboro, GA.
The exhibit honored the deep cultural significance and creativity of quilts in African American history.
For generations, quilts have represented much more than comfort or decoration. They tell stories. They preserve family legacies. They reflect resilience, and cultural identity passed down through generations.
Displaying these quilts in the heart of Clayton County allowed visitors to experience that history in a meaningful and tangible way.
“Quilts have always been more than blankets. They are maps of memory, voices stitched in silence, and testaments to a people who turned necessity into art.”
How the Exhibit Impacted Visitors
The response was overwhelming. Visitors traveled from across the metro Atlanta area and beyond to experience the exhibit. Many walked into the gallery curious and left deeply inspired.
For many guests, the exhibit was more than educational. It was uplifting and emotional. Seeing Black history honored with care, dignity, and artistry created a powerful moment of reflection and pride.
The exhibit also encouraged visitors to spend more time exploring Clayton County. What started as a gallery visit often turned into a full day of cultural exploration throughout the county.
@seeclaytoncountyga ✨ Guest Spotlight | Visitor Experience ✨ Powerful. Moving. Inspiring. Hear from Mrs. Mary Keith as she shares her experience after visiting Stitching Our Story: A Celebration of Black History Quilt Show—an exhibit that brings Black history, culture, and lived experiences to life through the art of quilting. 🧵 See it for yourself: Open: Thursday–Saturday Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM **Due to inclement weather, we will be closed for Saturday, January 31, 2026** Location: 125 N. Main Street, Jonesboro, GA 30236 🗓 On view through: February 28, 2026 ✨ Come experience the stories, craftsmanship, and meaning woven into every quilt. #SeeClaytonCountyGA #ClaytonCountyGA #clayco #BlackHistory #QuiltShow ♬ original sound – Clayton County, GA Tourism
A Self-Guided Black History Tour: 4 Meaningful Stops
To enhance the experience, See Clayton County, GA partnered with the City of Jonesboro, the Jonesboro Rosenwald School Museum and Arts Clayton Gallery to create a self-guided Black history tour.
This tour connected four meaningful destinations, allowing visitors to explore multiple cultural and historical sites in one trip.
Stitching Our Story: A Celebration of Black History Quilt Show
Located at the office of Clayton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, this exhibit served as the centerpiece of the experience, showcasing quilts that celebrated Black American history, artistry, and resilience.
@seeclaytoncountyga Last chance to experience Stitching Our Story: A Celebration of Black History Quilt Show Today, February 27, and Saturday, February 28, are the FINAL days to view this powerful and inspiring exhibition at: 📍 See Clayton County, GA 125 North Main Street Jonesboro, GA 30236 🕙 Open 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 🎟️ FREE and open to the public during these hours only Discover the rich stories of heritage, resilience, and community woven into every quilt before the show closes. Don’t miss this meaningful celebration of culture and creativity in Clayton County, GA. Follow us for more events and experiences @seeclaytoncountyga #SeeClaytonCountyGA #ClaytonCountyGA #BlackHistoryMonth #QuiltShow #ClaytonCountyGACulture ♬ It’s Like That – Instrumental – Mariah Carey
Hattie McDaniel Legacy Experience — Road to Tara Museum
Visitors learned about Hattie McDaniel, the first Black actress to win an Academy Award, and Clayton County’s connection to her groundbreaking legacy.
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Aunt Maddie’s Peoples: Solo Photography Exhibit — Arts Clayton Gallery
This month long exhibit highlighted the Black family, faces, and everyday stories over the decades through powerful community portraiture, Marie Thomas.
@seeclaytoncountyga For 50 years, photographer Marie Thomas has documented culture, community, and the beauty of everyday Black life through her lens. 📸 Now, her powerful solo exhibition, Aunt Maddie’s Peoples, is on display at the Arts Clayton Gallery—and we had the honor of sitting down with her to talk about the stories behind the images. This moving collection will also be one of the featured stops during Honoring Black History with HBCUs & Divine Nine on Saturday, February 21st from 10AM–2PM (rain or shine). Experience the artistry, the legacy, and the storytelling for yourself as you explore this self-guided cultural tour in Clayton County, GA. #SeeClaytonCountyGA #ClaytonCountyGA #BlackHistoryMonth #opentotheworld ♬ Syncopated Swing – Kairo Vibe
Jonesboro Rosenwald School Museum
This historic site showcases the legacy of education for Black children during the Jim Crow Era. The existence of Rosenwald Schools played a critical role in expanding educational opportunities for Black students across the South.
@seeclaytoncountyga June 18, 2025, Clayton County Public School hosted a ribbon cutting for renovated Rosenwald School. Booker T. Washington of the Tuskegee Institute and Julius Rosenwald, philanthropist and president of Sears Roebuck, built state-of-art-schools for African American children across the South. The Rural School Building Program of the Julius Rosenwald Fund provides financial grants for the construction of public schools for African American/Black children through the South. Jonesboro, GA happens to have an original Rosenwald School after the street from the Jonesboro City Center. This school has been renovated to operate as a museum with original artifacts from its early years as a schoolhouse. Follow us for updates on the Rosenwald School Museum will be featured on our site SeeClaytonCountyGa.com and our social media. #fyp #rosenwaldschools #blackhistory #africanamericanhistory #seeclaytoncountyga #claytoncounty #claytoncountyga #forestparkga #jonesboroga #rexga #LovejoyGA #riverdalega #morrowga #lakecityga #travelblogger #travelvlog #exploregeorgia #explorepage #dineinclayco #southsideatl #atlantaga ♬ original sound – Clayton County, GA Tourism
Together, these destinations created a rich and meaningful cultural journey rooted in the history of Clayton County.
Celebrating Black Excellence: HBCUs and the Divine Nine
Another exciting element of this initiative was the invitation extended to HBCU students, alumni, and members of the Divine Nine Greek-letter organizations.
Visitors proudly wore their HBCU and Greek organization paraphernalia while exploring the tour stops, adding energy and excitement to the experience.
The atmosphere across each location was vibrant and celebratory. History and modern culture came together in a powerful way that highlighted the continued legacy of Black Excellence.
This initiative became more than a history exhibit. It was a celebration of community, pride, and cultural connection.
Supporting Clayton County’s Local Economy
Visitors who came to see the quilt show also explored local restaurants, shops, and attractions throughout Clayton County. Many of these businesses are Black-owned, making each visit a meaningful investment in the local community.
Cultural tourism plays an important role in strengthening local economies. Events like this encourage visitors to stay longer, explore more, and support small businesses.
The Stitching Our Story exhibit demonstrated how heritage tourism can uplift both community pride and economic growth.
A Community Built on Collaboration
This initiative was made possible through strong community partnerships.
Event Partners
City of Jonesboro, GA
Arts Clayton Gallery
Road To Tara Museum
Jonesboro Rosenwald School Museum
Together, these organizations worked alongside See Clayton County, GA to create an experience that was educational, inspiring, and impactful for visitors and residents alike.d.
Plan Your Visit to Clayton County, GA
Stitching Our Story was never just about quilts. It was about honoring history, celebrating culture, and bringing the community together through storytelling and art.
Every quilt told a story. Every visitor added to the experience.
Clayton County, GA is proud to share the rich history, culture, and creativity that make our community a destination worth exploring year-round.
Ready to discover Clayton County for yourself?
Explore attractions, plan your visit, and learn more at seeclaytoncountyga.com
See Clayton County GA · Come for the History. Stay for the Story.