Revolutionary Threads Exploring the Fabric of Our Country

Revolutionary Threads

Exploring the Fabric of Our Country

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

In the spring of 1775, a group of strong men and women gathered together to begin the process of securing their freedom and liberty by creating their own country. That land, which we stand on now, has since become the United States of America. In 2026, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of that day and those brave patriots who made our country into what it is today, and there is no time like the present to celebrate our freedom and liberty by learning about the history behind the American Revolution.

“I really love American history, it has always been a love of mine since I was a kid,” said Sandy Marting, historian and member of the Transylvania Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. “I think it's so important for young people today to learn more about the history of this country as it goes a long way. We don't tend to talk about our American patriot ancestors very much, and with the 250th anniversary of our country coming up in 2026 it made sense for us to do a project like this where we can educate people. The whole goal is to go around the entire state and have our exhibit in small museums, libraries and historical societies to help introduce adults and children to the past,” explained Marting about the project.

Weaving together local history inspired by the ancestors of the Daughters of the American Revolution Transylvania Chapter alongside beautiful prints, the DAR has partnered with the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center to present the exhibit: Revolutionary Threads. The exhibit features recreations of military uniforms, women’s and children’s clothing, as well as artifacts from the time period. The exhibit itself will be touring Kentucky through 2026 and will be on display in Ashland until July 15.

The exhibit began with Sandy Marting and her friends while working on an advisory board for a Lexington Museum. During the restoration of a historic Lexington home, a purchase was made at a private auction which included unopened Revolutionary War prints. Each print showed soldiers in different uniforms, reflecting their stories, classes, and resources during the time period. Inspired by these 1950s prints, Marting, alongside board members and longtime friends Pennye Willcutt and Janet Freeman, knew that this had the potential to be so much more than just prints hanging on the wall.

At the same time, the DAR chapter was also in the process of creating a Patriots Storybook, a collection of stories, information, and photographs pertaining to Revolutionary War ancestors of the current DAR members. Grounding the exhibit in these stories from ancestors, Freeman worked to recreate and sew four different clothing and accessory sets mimicking those of women’s, soldiers’, and children’s clothing during the Revolutionary War.

“There is nothing in the exhibit that isn't based on somebody's ancestor who lived and was involved in the American Revolution, so when we look at a mannequin, that mannequin represents somebody in the community who has an ancestor who lived and was involved in the American Revolution,” detailed Marting.

Heather Whitman, curator at the Highlands Museum, sees this as yet another excellent opportunity to bring information and curiosity to our area. After being approached by another DAR member, Cheryl Spriggs, Whitman and the Highlands knew that having the opportunity to host Revolutionary Threads would be a perfect way to bring artifacts and physical representations of such an important time in our history to light. The exhibit not only features the craftsmanship of Janet Freeman, but also genuine reproductions of uniforms worn by Revolutionary War reenactors.

“I think it's a great thing to be able to show something different, something that we don't usually get to do. We're also coming up on our 250th anniversary, and it's important to remember that we are patriots, and I think this is just a great exhibit to host,” expressed Whitman.

To learn more about the Kentucky Death March of 1780, the role of women and children during the war, or even just the many colors, fabrics, and people that came together to make our country what it is today, be sure to check out the Revolutionary Threads exhibit on display now at the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center.