Demonstrations & Exhibits

SPINNING

    We demonstrate both the flax wheel and the walking wheel, spinning wool, flax and sometimes cotton.
    We have a few sheep so the children can see where wool comes from (and help feed the sheep). All wheels used in our demonstrations are genuine antique wheels, kept in perfect working order.
    Our interpreters are trained to answer questions not only related to spinning, but also questions about the mechanics and the construction of the early wheels.
    Bring your antique wheel for evaluation or try spinning on one of our antique wheels.
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WEAVING

Watch our experienced weavers create traditional American Coverlet patterns on a 1700's loom, just as it was done almost 200 years ago. They will explain how the pattern develops by depressing a series of treadles according to a draft drawn on a strip of paper, tacked to the loom, resembling musical notation.
See how two shuttles used alternately, create both the basic fabric and the pattern. Sit down at our 1840's loom and throw a shuttle yourself. See our collection of early coverlets, Jacquard loom work, Venetian Carpet and other early fabrics.
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NATURAL DYEING

    Watch colors come to life as a skein of wool is lifted from a huge copper dye kettle boiling over an open fire, fueled by aromatic hardwood. In seconds the Indigo dye magically turns the skein from a muddy brown to a deep blue.
    See how common wildflowers, walnut hulls, and weeds are transformed into a wide range of nature's hues.
    Bring a skein or two of washed wool to our dyeing events and we will dye them for you.

(See our calendar of events for natural dyeing days).

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WOODWORKING

Working with simple hand tools, skilled woodworkers made spinning wheels, looms, yarn winders, accessories, etc., starting with wood taken directly from a tree. No nails, screws or glue were used. No finish was applied. This is an entirely different technology from today's woodworking with power tools, modern adhesives and lumber yard wood.
The wheels and looms lasted for centuries and worked under all kinds of conditions. In our old woodworking shop we demonstrate the old woodworking methods and invite visitors to try them (no dangerous machinery here). Come use a foot-treadle lathe or shape a piece of wood with a spoke shave on a shaving horse.

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FLAX AND LINEN

Rarely can we see flax being processed and spun into linen.

Here at our museum we grow flax and show you how it is harvested, retted, put through the brake, hackeled and then put on the distaff and spun into linen.

For people seriously interested in flax culture, we present a flax seminar.

(See events calendar).

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