Submitted information | For The Arkadelphian

Barbara Martin Slaughter’s quilt block was recently chosen as the Arkansas state winner for assembly in the National America 250! Quilt Project for the Daughters of the American Revolution. Barbara Slaughter served as Arkadelphia Chapter Regent from 2020 to 2022.

State winners will be submitting their work to the National Vice Chair for the project in October, and the quilt blocks will be assembled and completed by spring 2023. The finished quilt will then be displayed at the National DAR Headquarters in Washington D.C. for celebrations leading up to America’s Semiquincentennial. Also, the quilt will be available for traveling display throughout the country.

The theme for the quilt is: As each state became part of our country beginning 250 years ago, each state block of our quilt will unite with all, to become a tapestry of our country’s heritage.

The Arkansas quilt block features the only battle of the American Revolutionary War fought in Arkansas, the Battle of Arkansas Post, fought at Arkansas Post on April 17, 1783, at the end of the war. It was part of a series of small battles fought between Spanish and British forces in the Lower Mississippi region. Arkansas Post held a strategic location at the confluence of the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers. Spain had entered the war on the side of the American patriots. The battle consisted of an attack by British loyalists on the Spanish-controlled post.

Arkansas Post has a rich history. It was the first European settlement in present day state of Arkansas. French, Spanish, British, and U.S. flags have flown here. It served as the capital of Arkansas from 1819 until 1821.