Culture

Liberia has traditionally been noted for its hospitality, arts and craft works, academic institutions and cultural skills.

The country has a long, rich history in textile arts and quilting. The free and former US slaves who emigrated to Liberia brought with their sewing and quilting skills, with the 1843 Liberian census indicating a variety of occupations, including hatter, milliner, seamstress and tailor. One of the most well-known Liberian quilters was Martha Ann Ricks, who presented a quilt featuring the famed Liberian coffee tree, to Queen Victoria in 1892.

In modern times, Liberian presidents have also presented quilts as official government gifts, such as the cotton quilt housed in the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum collection that includes the portraits of both Liberian president William Tubman and JFK.