Historic Hudson Valley (HHV) kicks off its first event of the season with Sheep-to-Shawl, an annual celebration of spring on the farm at Philipsburg Manor on Saturday, April 22 & Sunday, April 23 from 10am to 5pm.
Visitors see the entire process of making woolen cloth, from sheep-shearing by hand; picking and carding the wool; spinning and dyeing the yarn; and finally weaving into cloth. Visitors have the opportunity to participate in many stages of the process. Interpreters, wearing costume of the 18th century, also demonstrate the labor-intensive process of making linen from the flax plant.
Visitors will see over a dozen adorable newborn baby lambs, born this spring at Philipsburg Manor, frolicking about the grounds as they explore this 18th-century working farm. Two calves, three months old, named Josh and Jake, are in training to become working oxen.
While strolling through the site, which includes a working water-powered gristmill and a New World Dutch Barn, visitors can also watch as the very talented Gene Sheninger showcases his Scottish border collies and their amazing ability to herd sheep, with demonstrations in the meadow at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 4pm. In addition to the sheep and newborn baby lambs, visitors can see heritage breeds of oxen and a milk cow.
Sheep-to-Shawl will be held from 10 am to 5 pm, rain or shine. For information, please call 914-631-8200 or visit www.hudsonvalley.org.
