Heritage Wool & Textile Day

Explore the history of wool and textile production in the 18^th century! Daniel Boone was the son and grandson of cloth weavers from England. So much for continuing the family business! But no doubt as a young boy there would be work for him and his siblings, as most often the whole family would be involved in some part of the processing of wool and flax. Cloth produced in Berks County in the mid-18th century would have been made from materials grown locally. Most families raised a few sheep and grew flax, a plant used to make linen. As early as 1738 a fulling mill was built on the Manatawny Creek. A fulling mill processed the woven cloth to shrink and soften the fibers. During the afternoon many of the processes needed to take the wool from the sheep to the weaver’s loom will be demonstrated. There will be sheep shearing and other hands-on demonstrations. Heritage breeds such as Hog Island and Jacob sheep will be on site. Admission will be as follows: Adults- $12, Seniors- $10, Youth- $6.00, Children 5 and Under- Free. This program is sponsored and run by the Daniel Boone Homestead Associates.