Students help stitch Delaware's overlooked Revolutionary War history into national tapestry project

NEWARK, Del. (WPVI) -- History is being rewoven in Delaware, where a bold embroidery project is working to highlight Revolutionary War figures often left out of traditional narratives.

At the center of the effort are University of Delaware students helping bring one of those stories to life.

"It was mainly a running needlework stitch," said Katya Roelse, an associate instructor in the university's fashion and apparel studies department.

She said the design required "a lot of water to be stitched, and a lot of sky to be stitched, of Colonel Fisher pointing at the ships," referring to Major Henry Fisher, a key but lesser-known figure in Delaware's wartime defense.

Fisher "was the eyes and the ears of Lewes, Delaware," she said.

About 30 students volunteered their time to help embroider the Delaware panel, which will become part of America's Tapestry, a 13-panel exhibit created in former colonies to mark the nation's 250th birthday. The panel has been traveling across the state, where more than 800 volunteers, including Gov. Matt Meyer and the University of Delaware's mascot, have each added a stitch.

Roelse said the project helps broaden the public's understanding of the era.

"It's pretty important, because we all know the big stories, right? And there are many more players than just the Founding Fathers that, you know, brought on the Revolutionary War," she said. "What's cool about this is there's no expertise required."

The panel is expected to be completed by the end of April. Its next stop is the Biggs Museum in Dover, where more Delawareans will have the chance to add their own stitch to the state's story.