Oxford Historical Society Host Fiber Festival April 9 & 10

The following announcement was submitted by Dorothy A. DeBisschop, Oxford Town Historian:

Fiber Festival Returns to Oxford on April 9 and 10

The Oxford Historical Society will sponsor its 5th annual Fiber Festival on Saturday April 9 from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday April 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will be held at the
Twitchell- Rowland Homestead, 60 Towner Lane, Oxford. Admission is free.

In 1802 David Humphreys purchased 100 Spanish merino sheep. On April 10 he shipped them
to his homestead in Derby, Connecticut, making him the first successful importer of merino
sheep in America. Humphrey's importation changed the agriculture and the economy of
Oxford and the entire Naugatuck Valley.

The Oxford Historical Society will begin the weekend with a tribute to Barbara Rickman who
was an important contributor to our Fiber Fests who passed away unexpectedly in 2019. Once
again we will feature the museum’s Jensen Farm barn loom, which dates back to the 1700’s,
spinning and weaving demonstrations, live fiber producing animals, pygora goat and alpaca
shearing demonstrations and crafts for sale.

There will be a few new events this year. We are honored that the New England Lace group
will be joining us for two days. They will be demonstrating the making of bobbin lace. There
will be a Spin In on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. Participants are invited to bring a wheel or spindle
and join in on the fun. On Sunday all area knitters and crocheters are invited to come and knit
or crochet. The Knit In will occur from 2-4 p.m.

In addition, Sunday afternoon’s events will be accompanied by the live guitar and banjo music
of Gerald Rasmussen.

For more information please e-mail FiberFest@oxford-historical-society.org