MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Historic Association will be hosting a lecture series on Friday, October 17 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the historic Millyard Museum in Manchester. The lectures will be about New Hampshire’s role in the American Revolution, given by the Stefan Romero, Project Director of America’s Tapestry; Sydney Rue, Director of Collections at the Strawbery Banke Museum; and America’s Tapestry State Directors Carol Tewes Ganse and Michelle McPheron. The New Hampshire Panel of America’s Tapestry will be on display as embroiderers work on the piece throughout the afternoon.
America’s Tapestry is a project to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States with 13 hand-embroidered panels, one for each of the original 13 colonies. The panels illustrate the diverse stories of the American Revolution.
“The idea for America’s Tapestry was formulated while on a work assignment in Europe, after visiting ‘The Great Tapestry of Scotland,'” says Stefan Romero. “I was deeply moved by the richness and drama of Scotland’s story as it unfolded from panel to panel. As the product of 1,000 talented embroiderers working across the country to create a harmonious whole, the Tapestry embodied one of the truly defining features of the American experiment. I knew that a similar project would be an important commemorative undertaking for our country’s anniversary, and upon returning home, I sought out ways to bring this concept to the United States.”
The New Hampshire panel illustrates the state’s role at the forefront of independence, depicting the Pine Tree Riot of 1772 which was one of the first major disputes of royal authority. The lower left hand vignette pays tribute to the raid of Fort William & Mary in 1774. Considered one of the first significant armed attacks of the American Revolution, the raid set the stage for future conflict with Great Britain. The upper portion of the panel depicts the role of the Abenaki in defending the vulnerable Northern border, which was subject to frequent conflict.
Located in the heart of Manchester, the Millyard Museum is a dynamic institution dedicated to preserving and sharing the city’s rich history. Operated by the Manchester Historic Association, the museum is housed in a renovated mill building of the historic Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, once the centerpiece of Manchester’s booming textile industry. In addition to its permanent and rotating exhibits, the Millyard Museum offers educational programs, community events, and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. The Millyard Museum has graciously offered to host the New Hampshire panel throughout the stitching process.
Since June 2025, stitchers have been meeting regularly at the Millyard to bring the New Hampshire tapestry design to life. The project is directed by Carol Tewes Ganse and Michelle McPheron. Both longtime stitchers, Carol and Michelle bring a wealth of experience to the project. Ganse began sewing as a young child and expanded her needlework skills over the years by embroidering, knitting, and crocheting. She is currently working towards a Certificate and Diploma in Hand Embroidery from the Royal School of Needlework. McPheron is currently a Certificate Student of the Royal School of Needlework. Both deeply enjoy working alongside the many talented stitchers who bring a variety of talents and expertise to complete New Hampshire’s tapestry panel.
Sydney Rue is the Collections Manager at Strawbery Banke Museum, where she oversees the preservation, care, and documentation of the museum’s collection. She holds an M.A. in Museum Studies from the University of New Hampshire and a B.A. in History from Portland State University. Sydney’s research utilizes material culture to give voice to marginalized historical figures and spans topics from colonial linen production to the home front during World War II. Her work in collections management is grounded in a passion for preserving and interpreting objects to foster public engagement with history.
We hope to see you at the Millyard Museum on Friday, October 17, 2025. Visit https://manchesterhistoric.org/planned by the Manchester Historic Association.
For more information about America’s Tapestry, please americastapestry.com or contact hello@americastapestry.com. Check out the online photo gallery at instagram.com/americastapestrynh/
To learn more about the Strawbery Banke Museum and their upcoming events, please visit https://www.strawberybanke.org/