The Oxford Historical Society Presents their 10th Annual Fiber Festival

The Oxford Historical Society will sponsor its 10^th Annual Fiber Festival on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday, April 19, from noon to 4 p.m. The event will be held at the Twitchell-Rowland Homestead, 60 Towner Lane, in Oxford, rain or shine.

David Humphreys in 1802 purchased 100 Spanish merino sheep, shipping them on April 10 to his homestead in Derby, Connecticut, making him the first successful importer of merino sheep in America. Humphrey’s innovation changed the agriculture and the economy of Oxford and of the entire Naugatuck Valley.

Once again, we will feature the Jensen Farm barn loom which dates to the late 1700’s, spinning and weaving demonstrations, lace making, rug hooking, live fiber-producing animals, and shearing demonstrations. Admission is free.

We are honored to have several experts demonstrating their crafts. Naomi Allen, owner of Raven’s Gate Rug Hooking, will be onsite Saturday to showcase this ancient art. Fiona Fine will spin fiber into yarn on an antique spinning wheel. The New England lace group will join us on Sunday to demonstrate the making of bobbin lace.

Several vintage and antique vehicles will be on display on the Homestead grounds. Also outside, a wide variety of crafters will be selling their wares from booths set along the museum lawn. The Munn Schoolhouse classroom and basement will be open with food for sale, a quilt display, an area for snacking, and table looms for everyone to try.

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