MOFAD’s “Legacy Quilt” by Harlem Needle Arts Unveiled at NYC City Hall — 400 Stories of African‑American Food History On View with QR Digital Tour

The Museum of Food and Drink’s Legacy Quilt was unveiled at New York City Hall on June 22, 2026, with city leaders and Harlem Needle Arts presenting a 400‑story textile installation about African‑American contributions to American food history; the quilt is on public view at City Hall for the next weeks with QR codes for a digital experience, and speakers did not announce a confirmed post‑City Hall tour. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=0

# What’s happening
– The Legacy Quilt was unveiled at New York City Hall on June 22, 2026. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=0
– City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams hosted the unveiling. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=0
– The quilt will be on view at City Hall for the next weeks; QR codes provide digital access. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=495

# Why it matters
– Visitors to City Hall can view 400 sewn stories of African‑American contributions to American food history. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=263
– QR codes let visitors access a digital legacy quilt and supplementary stories onsite. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=495

# Key details
– Unveiled June 22, 2026 at New York City Hall. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=0
– Commissioned by the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) for the exhibition “African‑American Making the Nation’s Table” (first exhibited 2022). Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=565
– Quilt includes about 400 individual stories; six blocks were left intentionally blank. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=263
– Created by Harlem Needle Arts, led by Michelle Bishop, with artists Laura Gatson, Epha Felix, and Sylvia Hernandez. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=565
– Public viewing at City Hall will run for the “next weeks” and includes QR codes to link to a digital legacy quilt. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=495

**Harlem Needle Arts**
– Role or jurisdiction: Community arts organization led by Michelle Bishop.
– Action taken or responsibility: Designed and handstitched the Legacy Quilt commissioned by MOFAD.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Quilt contains ~400 stories; unveiled June 22, 2026. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=565

**Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD)**
– Role or jurisdiction: Museum and exhibition organizer focused on food history.
– Action taken or responsibility: Commissioned the Legacy Quilt for the “African‑American Making the Nation’s Table” project.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Project first appeared in MOFAD’s 2022 exhibition; MOFAD staff attended unveiling. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=263

**Julie Menin**
– Role or jurisdiction: New York City Council Speaker.
– Action taken or responsibility: Approved and partnered with Council offices to host the quilt at City Hall.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Speaker’s office approval enabled the June 22, 2026 installation. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=874

**Dr. Nantasha Williams**
– Role or jurisdiction: Deputy Speaker of the New York City Council.
– Action taken or responsibility: Co‑hosted the unveiling event at City Hall.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Participated in the June 22, 2026 ceremony. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=0

The Legacy Quilt was presented to the public inside New York City Hall on June 22, 2026. Speakers described the quilt as a textile archive of approximately 400 stories tracing African‑American influence on American foodways. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=263

The quilt was made by Harlem Needle Arts after being commissioned by the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD). Michelle Bishop, founder and executive director of Harlem Needle Arts, reviewed the project’s artists and collaborators during the unveiling remarks. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=565

Speakers noted that six quilt blocks were left intentionally blank to represent stories lost or untold. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=263

City Council leaders invited the public to visit the installation at City Hall “in the next weeks” and emphasized on‑site QR codes that link to a digital version of the quilt and additional text for viewers. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=495

Museum of Food and Drink staff were referenced during remarks; speakers said the museum had previously developed the “African‑American Making the Nation’s Table” exhibition that generated the quilt commission. Speakers also said MOFAD staff had wanted opportunities to display the quilt elsewhere. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=0

Speakers did not announce a confirmed schedule for the quilt to travel to other institutions after the City Hall display. The meeting record includes praise for MOFAD and mentions prior exhibition work, but it does not provide a post‑City Hall touring plan. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=0

Supporters said they hope the quilt will become part of educational curricula in New York City, but the speakers described that as a goal rather than a finalized programmatic commitment. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=662

Public visitors are encouraged to scan the QR codes at the installation to explore the digital legacy quilt and to identify additional stories to stitch into the online record. Source: https://youtu.be/XbU8hOq-KIA&t=495