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

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 -