The Shenandoah Valley Tapestry - A Journey Through Time.

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The Shenandoah Valley Tapestry - A Journey Through Time.

Once in a life time project to create a needlework narrative honoring and celebrating over 250 years of history of the northern Shenandoah Valley.

It all Started with a Book

It all started with the book – Defend the Valley: A Shenandoah Family in the Civil War by Margaretta Barton Colt. The book tells the story of the Civil War through the letters and private papers of the Barton and Jones clans—two great limbs of one family tree with roots in Winchester. The Bartons and Joneses collectively sent eleven men into battle, most in the brigade

led by Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. Defend the Valley presents a fully rounded picture of the daily struggles of ordinary families living through the Civil War and a documentation of the passing of a way of life. Then Came the Painting

The book led to the contemporary primitive painting by Page Huff Dillon – Winchester & Frederick County, Virginia, (1995), commissioned by Margaretta Barton Colt. A committee of local historians from the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society chose the most important buildings to be represented and ensured their accuracy. The painting is well known to many citizens of Winchester and a print of the painting can be seen in a number of local offices and homes. That Launched the Tapestry…

The painting then set in motion the idea of telling the Valley’s storied history through a community-based project – a tapestry stitched by members of the community. The main panel of the tapestry interprets Page Huff Dillon’s painting, including the thirty-four historic buildings, and reflects on the stories of people and events told in Defend the Valley. We called our project – The Shenandoah Valley Tapestry – A Journey Through Time. The Tapestry project is spearheaded by the Winchester Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (WEGA) and the Multicultural Club Collage (MCC) of Frederick County, VA. Working together and serving as the Directors of the Tapestry project, the WEGA and MCC have been joined by The Handley Regional Library, the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society and the Village at Orchard Ridge to bring The Shenandoah Valley Tapestry to life. To learn more visit: https://www.svtapestry.com

05/10/2026

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all the tapestry stitchers, friends, and supporters, near and far!

May your day be filled with love, kindness, laughter, and beautiful moments with those closest to your heart. Thank you for sharing your creativity, encouragement, and friendship. 💕

In the image below: mother and daughter in front of Steele House, stitched by Lucille Carter.

04/05/2026

HAPPY EASTER!

Sending warm wishes to all our tapestry stitchers, friends, sponsors, and followers. Thank you for being such an important part of our community. We’re so grateful for the creativity, support, and connection you bring.

Hope your day is filled with a little sunshine, a lot of joy, and all the beauty of the season.

Below: a closer look at part of the tapestry.

03/22/2026

Yesterday was a deeply meaningful day as the two memorial quilts honoring the 270 people enslaved at Belle Grove were unveiled and opened to the public.

This remarkable community project began on August 4, 2022, and after four years of stitching, quilting, care, and collaboration, it’s incredible to see it completed. People of all ages, backgrounds, and stitching skill levels came together, each contributing something heartfelt with love.

Many of the Shenandoah Valley Tapestry stitchers and members of the Wi******er Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America participated in the quilt project. We are deeply grateful and honored to have been part of this journey.

03/09/2026

A Milestone Moment for the Memoreal Quilts Honoring the People Enslaved at Belle Grove

On March 7 we gathered at the Bowman Library to place the symbolic final stitches on the second memorial quilt – a labor of love, community, and remembrance four years in the making.

Many of the stitchers who helped bring the Shenandoah Valley Tapestry to life also wholeheartedly supported the quilt project and took part in stitching the names and hand quilting.

Last Saturday, stitchers, quilters, friends, families, and community members came together to witness the completion of this meaningful project. It was a very emotional moment to see the final stitches made.

Special tribute was paid to Elaine Evans and Lucy Edmison, past presidents of the Wi******er Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, whose dedication made this project possible. In their honor, Maggie Fraser, also past president of the chapter and their dear friend took symbolic final stitches for them.

The names of the 93 enslaved men, women, and children embroidered on the second quilt were read aloud – reminding us that these quilts is a lasting tribute to lives remembered and honored.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us, to all who helped bring this project to life, and to those who supported it along the way. Every stitch counts.

The two memorial quilts will be permanently displayed at Belle Grove. On March 21, 2026 they will be open for special public viewing from noon to 4 p.m.

03/06/2026

TOMORROW IS THE MOMENT! Be there for the final chapter of this beautiful community quilt project. Be among the first to see the second quilt, hear how the project came to life, take part in the Reading of Names, and witness the symbolic final stitches.
We’d love to see you there.

02/27/2026

We were so happy to see so many wonderful people from the Handley Library System come take stitches in the Memorial Quilt!

Three years ago, on February 11, 2023, Bowman Library hosted our very first stitching session, when more than 35 community members gathered to begin stitching the names of the people enslaved at Belle Grove. Throughout 2025–2026, the library has welcomed the community again and again to be part of this meaningful project.

A huge thank you to Bowman Library and the Handley Library system for hosting and supporting this project every step of the way!

All are welcome to come to the Bowman Library for the Final Stitch event on March 7 at 1:30 pm. We would love for you to join us as we mark this special moment.

02/26/2026

We’d love to have you with us for this meaningful and memorable moment. Come hear how this community project came to life, be among the first to see the second quilt, take part in a Reading of Names, and witness the symbolic final stitches.

02/23/2026

Don’t miss this final chance to become part of a meaningful community project that honors history and brings people together in remembrance and reflection!

02/14/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️
Sending love, kindness, and warm wishes to all our friends and family near and far - especially to all the stitchers and quilters out there. With spring just around the corner, may your days be filled with new inspiration, colorful threads, and joyful stitches.

Wedding at St.Thomas Chapel
Stitched for the Shenandoah Valley Tapestry
By ANGELIKA SWIFT

Photo by Olga Chernyatyeva

02/12/2026

We keep working on the Quilt Honoring the People Enslaved at Belle Grove, and it’s been inspiring to see so many join in.

Our last two quilting sessions are February 17 and 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Bowman Library, 871 Tasker Rd, Stephens City, VA. All are welcome to stop by for a while or stay for as long as you like.

On March 7, we’ll make the final stitch.

Be part of this meaningful project!

Address

Winchester, VA

Website

http://www.svtapestry.com/

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