Amelia Fowler

Amelia S. Bold Fowler (1862-1923) was an embroidery teacher and well-known flag preserver. She gained recognition for her work in restoring the original Star Spangled Banner in 1914. Born in England, Fowler utilized her patented preservation techniques to save the flag, which had deteriorated over time. Using dyed-to-match silk thread and a honeycomb patterned stitch, she and her ten assistants reinforced the 1020 sqft relic, anchoring it onto Irish linen. The preservation process took eight weeks to complete. Fowler's efforts earned her a fee of $1,243 from the government. Her work was deemed successful, with the restored flag expected to endure the test of time. Fowler's contribution to preserving this significant piece of American history remains highly regarded.