There were a number of special events on June 21 this year: Father’s Day, the Summer Solstice, the U.S. Open – and, if you were in Williamsburg, Virginia, the opening of the America’s Tapestry exhibit at the Muscarelle Museum. And what a grand opening event it was!
The thirteen tapestries, one for each of the original thirteen colonies, together with a printed narrative of the Revolutionary War story each tapestry illustrated, were on view in the upstairs gallery of the Muscarelle. Stitchers and non-stitchers alike marveled at the quality of the embroidery which brought each unique story to life. And the stories are unique: each 35” by 45” panel illustrates a little-known chapter and little-known figures important to the history of our country’s struggle for independence.
Equally impressive was the information about the time and effort required: some 2,000 volunteers, ages three through ninety-eight, spent approximately 20,000 hours to complete the thirteen tapestries. Among those 2,000 volunteers were a significant number of EGA members – no fewer than twelve EGA Chapters are listed among the tapestry stitching groups: Pioneer Valley (CT), Dogwood (GA), Constellation (MD), Hagerstown (MD), Mayflower (MA), Colonial West Jersey (NJ), Princeton (NJ), Capital District (NY), Cardinal (NC), Three Rivers (PA), Charlotte’s Web (SC), Williamsburg Rose & Thistle (VA). Many at-large EGA members, as well as members of other chapters, also contributed their time and talents. EGA members were a key partner in bringing the tapestry project to fruition.
Downstairs, in the Museum’s Brashear Study Center, a number of the tapestry stitchers were available to demonstrate the embroidery techniques and answer questions about their work. State directors and stitchers from Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia participated in this
“Stitchers’ Showcase,” sharing behind-the-scenes stories and challenges as well as stitching details. In addition, representatives from the Wythe County Museum were on hand to discuss the history surrounding the Wytheville lead mine, which the Virginia tapestry illustrates.
Continue reading to see pictures of all 13 tapestries.
Late afternoon brought an hour-long panel discussion featuring State Directors Jenni Paperman (NY), Catherine Theron (VA), Mary VanTyne (PA), and Karen Wallach (SC). Moderated by Project Director Stefan Romero, the discussion included a brief history of the project’s founding and early stages. The Directors’ shared fascinating, and sometimes funny, stories about the work involved in completing their respective tapestries. Karen Wallach talked about the embroidery contributions of the Catawba Tribe, including the horsehair braid that surrounds the completed South Carolina tapestry. Jenni Paperman recalled discovering that a building on the New York tapestry had been stitched using an incorrect color and then described how the coloring was cleverly corrected. Mary VanTyne discussed researching eighteenth century embroidery stitches to ensure that the Pennsylvania tapestry would reflect authentic colonial stitches. And Catherine Theron remembered crawling underneath the Virginia tapestry to clean up hanging threads, only to discover afterwards that she had an audience of a few dozen Muscarelle Museum visitors watching her efforts! The Muscarelle was home to the Virginia tapestry for many months and it should be noted here that Museum was more than generous, and gracious, in housing the Virginia tapestry while it was being completed.
To cap off this inaugural display of America’s Tapestry, the Muscarelle hosted a truly lovely reception for all attendees. A wide variety of beverages, finger foods, fruits, and desserts made for a delightful conclusion to this important event celebrating our country’s 250th anniversary.
The tapestries will be on display at the Muscarelle Museum of Art until September 6, then the panels will go on a three year tour to all the original 13 colonies, beginning at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Don’t miss this once-in-a generation project!
After the exhibition closes at the Muscarelle Museum of Art September 6, the panels will go on a three year tour to all the original 13 colonies, beginning at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA.
See photos of all the tapestries below and learn more about each panel here. To see the list of exhibition venues click here.
Ginny Baker, President
Williamsburg Rose & Thistle Chapter, EGA
