Chapter History

            It was the fall of 1974 when a small group of avid needlepointers began stitching on a tapestry, The United Nations Peace Rug, destined to hang outside the General Assembly Hall, in the United Nations Building.  Although they did not realize it at the time, this little band was to become the nucleus of our Massachusetts Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild (ANG) with Mary Louise Henderson as its first president.  The chapter was chartered on March 20, 1975 and quickly grew to over two hundred members.

The first chapter meetings were held at St. Andrew’s Church in Wellesley, MA and subsequently at the Congregational Church until 1977.  Since then the chapter has met at the Wellesley Community Center.  The evening group was formed in 1989 and met at the Lucius Beebe Library in Wakefield, MA.

 Currently, daytime meetings are held at St. Anne's Church, 147 Concord Road, Lincoln, MA. Meetings start at 10:00 AM.

            The Massachusetts Chapter has always been in the forefront of ANG activity to promote the art of needlepoint.  We have hosted two national ANG seminars in 1977 and 1985.  Over the years many of our members have contributed their services to the national organization.

            In keeping with its purpose of education and cultural development in the art of needlepoint, the chapter prides itself on its accessibility to new members which is why we offer workshops and projects for every level of stitcher.

Past Community Projects

 

Festival of Trees

Freedom Trail Tapestry – Library – State House, Boston, MA

Kneelers, Chair seats, Altar cloth, Benches and covers, Pulpit Fall and
Bookmark – Old North Church, Boston, MA

Slipper Chair – Gore Place, Waltham, MA

Kneeler – Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Prayer Room/ICU, Newton, MA

Dining Room Chair Seat – Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

Fund Raiser – Autism Speaks

The Massachusetts Chapter
of the
American Needlepoint Guild

A Brief History
March 20, 1975 – 2025

“Massachusetts Chapter holds a very dear place in my heart.  Back in the day, I met so many wonderful stitchers and have so many unbelievable memories as a result of my membership.” (Copied with the permission of Robin Geis.)

“It has been a wonderful organization . . . . contributing so much over the years.”  Stated by Annabelle Sheppard, a charter member of the chapter.

And so, the saga of The Massachusetts Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild begins.  In the fall of 1974, a small group of avid needle pointers responded to a call for help published in a Boston newspaper. They began stitching on a tapestry, The United Nations Peace Rug, destined to hang outside the General Assembly Hall, in the United Nations Building in New York City.

Although they did not realize it at the time, these ladies were to become the nucleus of our Massachusetts Chapter (MANG) with Mary Louise Henderson as its founder and first president.

Initially meetings were held at the home of Ernie and Mary Louise Henderson in Chestnut Hill while the earliest chapter newsletter that I have, dated March 4, 1976, shows the chapter then meeting at St. Andrew’s Church on Washington Street in Wellesley, MA. The first meeting at the Wellesley Community Center was on Thursday, November 10, 1977.  Meetings continued to be held there, in Henderson Hall, for over forty years.

Currently we have a beautiful meeting place at St. Anne’s in the Fields Episcopal Church in Lincoln, MA. 

In 1975, National annual dues were $15.00.  MANG dues were also $15.00.  Non-members and guests paid $2.00 per meeting.
Two national seminars have been hosted by our chapter.  The first in October 1977, “Fall into Needlepoint”.  The seminar was held over a long weekend at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston.

In the fall of 1985, “The Freedom Trail Assembly” was held at the Marriott in Burlington, MA.  This seminar was conducted in two consecutive week-long sessions, the second week being a repeat of the first.

Over the years many of our members have contributed their services to the national organization in various positions.  Most notably Sue Strause served as a national ANG president.  We have several members who have been certified by ANG as teachers and judges.

MANG has been involved in many projects and outreach programs including:

• Freedom Trail Tapestry: This 5’ by 10’ piece is the first major project of the chapter.  The tapestry was designed by Phil and Sue Strause, stitched by chapter members and dedicated December 16, 1977, on the 204th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. It currently hangs at the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill.
• The Old North Church Project:  In two phases kneelers, bishop’s chair, vicar’s chair, two bench kneelers and various other pieces designed by chapter member Patty Baker Russell and stitched by members are still in use at the Church.
• Slipper Chair, Gore Place, Waltham, MA
• Kneeler, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Prayer Room, Newton, MA
• Dining Room Chair Seat, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

Our members have also supported various projects sponsored by National ANG including:

• Departmental Seals
• NASA Mission Patches
• White House Christmas Tree Stockings

We continue to celebrate our history.  An anniversary luncheon will take place at The Wayside Inn, Sudbury, MA on May 19, 2025.

 

Massachusetts Chapter Presidents

 

Mary Louise Henderson       1975-1977

Joan Bruns                             1977-1979

Norma Campbell                   1979-1981

Carolyn Purcell                      1981-1983

Patricia Ward                        1983-1985

Judy Souliotis                        1985-1987

Jane Melick                           1987-1989

Nancy Kirwin                          1989-1991

Barbara Yocom                     1991-1993

Nancy Hellstrom                    1993-1995

Elizabeth Brown                    1995-1997

Anne Strapp                          1997-2001

Nancy Torti                            2001-2003

Elpida Milias                         2003-2005

Lois Cardell                           2005-2007

Joni Stevenson                      2007-2009

Nancy Hellstrom                    2009-2011

Jane Melick                           2011-2013

Karen McCafferty                2013-2015

Lois Cardell                         2015 - 2017

Betsy Young                         2017 - 2022

Nancy Hellstrom                    2022 - 2024

Linda Grignolo 2024 -