January 2026 Update

Dear All,

Welcome to 2026 - our nation's anniversary year! I hope you have all had a restful and restorative holiday season. No doubt many of you are looking forward to the numerous activities planned in communities throughout the country in anticipation of this historic milestone.

Importantly, this year marks the completion of the America's Tapestry project and the exhibition of our 13 panels in 3 galleries across the US, with more destinations to come in 2027 & 2028.

If you are joining us this month, please consider donating to our Crate History Campaign! We have raised $1,600 over the last two months! Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. We are over half-way to reaching our $2,400 goal.

Every donation will ensure that our volunteers' work is protected for years to come through the commission of a bespoke art crate to transport the panels on a 2+ year exhibition tour.

If you would like to support us, please share our GoFundMe Page with your community.

What's New?

America's Tapestry participated in numerous events at historic sites across the 13 states to share the magic of needlework with various communities over the winter season.

Holidays at the Homesite: Celebrating the Carolinas

The North and South Carolina panels participated in the Holidays at the Homesite event at the Charlotte Museum of History and Culture on December 12. Thank you to the entire museum team for coordinating such a wonderful program and for inviting our Carolina panels.

Throughout the evening, visitors marveled at the 1774 Rock House decorated for the holidays, enjoyed live music, and witnessed the burning of the Yule Log. Of course, attendees had the opportunity to experience the beautiful artistry on the North and South Carolina panels.

Gail and Karen particularly enjoyed sharing the stories depicted on their panels to the many children who came to learn about our project!

Christmas in Odessa: A Delaware Tradition

The Delaware panel participated in Christmas in Odessa on December 6, an event organized by the Women's Club of Odessa. Visitors had the opportunity to see historic properties throughout the town decorated for the holidays. Over the course of the day's festivities, 65 people came to stitch on the Delaware panel. The youngest was 5 years old!

Among the stitchers, special guests included Delaware 250 executive director Erik Raser-Schramm, Miss Delaware Teen USA Cali Ann, and musicians from the Delaware Drum Corps.

A Winter's Day At Valley Forge

From December 13-14, Valley Forge National Historical Park kindly invited the Pennsylvania panel to stitch during their historic March In to Valley Forge event, commemorating the 248th anniversary of the Valley Forge Encampment.

Lectures, tours, and historical activities took place at Valley Forge to celebrate this historic occasion. Thank you to the nearly 150 visitors who came by the panel, including the many park rangers and the Tailoring Brigade who assisted our incredible PA directors Mary Van-Tyne and Raven Fagelson.

Holiday Open House at the Peabody Historical Society

On December 7th, the Massachusetts panel led by Denise de More and members of the Mayflower Sampler Guild attended the Peabody Historical Society's Holiday Open House in Peabody, MA.

During the event, visitors were able to marvel at the beautiful decorations adorning the 18th century historic house museum and participated in tours of the Nathaniel Felton Jr. House. Thank you to the Peabody's staff for so graciously welcoming us, all of our visitors throughout the day, and the wonderful MA team for attending and facilitating such a memorable day of needlework.

Tapestry Talk - North Carolina

Have a look on our webpage to see the interview I conducted while visiting with North Carolina director Gail Smith and her team of embroiderers in October.

Over the course of the video, you can learn more about each volunteer, their background, and what inspired them to join America's Tapestry. We are so grateful to the North Carolina State Capitol Building team who welcomed us that day to conduct a special stitching event.

Stitcher Spotlight: Meet Sarah Luginbuhl!

Sarah Luginbuhl is an embroiderer on the Rhode Island tapestry panel. A resident of Portsmouth, she has been stitching for over 50 years.

Having learned embroidery from her grandmothers, Sarah has practiced counted work, quilting, surface embroidery, and knitting. While working on the panel, Sarah has utilized long and short stitch, tent stitch, woven spiderweb, turkey rug knot, and the slanted gobelin stitch - the latter being one of her favorites. Part of Sarah's family settled in Rhode Island prior to the birth of her grandmother.

As both a history teacher and embroiderer, Sarah was drawn to America's Tapestry through the combination of these two interests within the project.

Thank you for donating your time and talent, Sarah!

P.S. - Want to be featured in our newsletter? Fill out our form!

If these photos leave you wondering how you can help our project, please consider donating by clicking the link here!

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please click here for instructions.

Don't forget - Liberty needs YOU!

Our Liberty doll series is still available. Proceeds from each sale go towards the completion of the America's Tapestry project. Each doll has been designed and crafted by hand by me.

Bring home your 250th anniversary commemorative doll today! Click here to learn more.

Corrections: In December's newsletter, Vicki Blanchard, not Vicki Brown, was featured stitching at the EGA Region Day.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading and happy holidays,

Stefan Romero

Project Director