This quilt pattern, known as the “Burgoyne Surrounded" or "Burgoyne Surrenders," is said to be inspired by the defeat of British General John Burgoyne in 1777 at Saratoga, New York. Burgoyne’s troops are represented by the center squares, surrounded by American forces. This was a pivotal battle in the Northern Theater of the War.

“Burgoyne Surrounded” quilts were made as early as 1852, as seen in the work of Martha A. Page at the MET. It appears that the name was first associated with the style in the 1930s, when advertisers started giving their patterns colonial-sounding names.

The red and blue quilt on display here was made by the Berkeley County Quilters in 2025-2026 in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding. See it on display in our lobby!