Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-14

also dwellS in Philadelphia ana Is
the wife of an American naval ofncer.
i, Mrs. Katherine Fowler Richey, wife OF
Comdr Richey devotes her talent and skill
to the preservation of the Nations historic
flags, in order that these patriotic emblemS
may exist to inspire the generations OF the
future Within the last three years she has
preserved more than 500 venerable flags, rich
in traditions and associations, and Is at pres
ent preparing to care for the historic stand
ards of the States of Vermont and New jersey
and possibly Pennsylvania.
at am carrying on the work started by my
mother, Mrs. Amelia Fowler Of Boston," Mrs.
Richey explained when asked how she CHANGED
to be engaged in this interesting and unusual
task, which requires the skill of an expert
needlecraft woman, the technique of an artist
and an intimate knowledge of American his
tory.
mother devised the method now use as
the result of an appeal from Admiral william
Carey Cole to preserve the historic flags OF tie
Naval Academy" Mrs. Richey continued. Il
assisted her with the work; absorbing the
spirit as well as the technique, and have con-
tinued with it since her death.
ITO me it has the fascination Of art his
tory and romance all combined. One need
have a heart of stone to work fer days and
weeks over the flag that inspired our national
anthem, a battle flag of the Revolution the
ensign flown by the Constitution, and not re-
ceiye q thrill and inspiration from cne's task.
The stains and holes in these old standards
are history recorded while in the making"
THE writer noted several flags in various
stages of completion on her work tables
and asked in what condition they had been
received.
Some arrive in fairly good conditi1n," she
replied, but others come to me like tbs.
Whereupon she opened q cardboard shoe box
and exhibited tiny fragments of red. white
and blue taffeta, few of which were larger
than ones thumb
surely that flag is beyond human repair!'
the writer exclaimed as he beheld the little
pieces.
"Oh no." she smiled; when I have finished
preserving it the flag will be in as good condi-
ton as the one on this table," pointing to
handsome silk flag used in the celebration Of
the Tooth anniversary of the proclamation by
George II which created Norfolk royal Dor
ough. One side CT the banner was seal-like
design whose two female figures represent
Virginia and Norfolk, and on the reverse side
Is painted tall, stately clipper ship.
This unique craft began, Mrs. Richey said
when Admiral Cole, then in charge of the build
ings and grounds at Annapolis, CHANGED upon
boxes of trophies and flags which had been
stored away for some years at the Naval
Academy. Examination proved that the flags
were much damaged by moths and age.
Hearing of Mrs Fowler's skill at needlecraft,
which included the working out of designs and
pictures comparable to fine tapestry and
paintings, the admiral asked her to turn her
knowledge to preserving some of the Nations
most cherished flags.
Mrs Fowler experimental with many methods
before she would attempt to actually work on
one of the Naval Academy flags. It was not
until she was travelling in Europe and studied
the tapestries woven by Matilda, wife Of Will
liam the Conqueror, in 1866 that she received
the inspiration for the process which she de-
vised. These ancient tapestries exhibited at
Bayeux were woven on linen and remained in
good state Of preservation despite their eight
centuries Of age.
She decided that linen must be used as the
foundation for the preservation Of flags. Then
the question arose of how to secure the tattered
pieces of silk or bunting to such background.
Glue and other adhesive materials were found
to make flags stiff and unreal and also lacked
the permanence which she wished to attain In
her work.
Finally she hit upon the scheme of sewing
the nag to linen back with peculiar stitch.
When perfected. her process consisted Of spread
Ing the tattered remnants of q flag on back
mig OF heavy Irish linen and sewing the pieces