The Miller-Cory House Museum in Westfield is hosting its annual Sheep to Shawl Festival on Saturday, April 27, from 1 to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
Visitors will have the opportunity to witness the traditional process of sheep shearing performed by a master shearer using hand shears, just as it was done in early America.
In addition to the sheep shearing demonstration, museum docents dressed in period costumes will showcase various wool-related crafts from the 18th century, including carding, spinning, weaving, and knitting. Attendees can also observe demonstrations of other colonial farm tasks such as wash day and soap making.
The museum’s cooks will prepare authentic 18th-century colonial cuisine over an open hearth, giving visitors a taste of the culinary traditions of the time period. Children attending the event can participate in a simple sheep-themed craft activity.
Admission to the Sheep to Shawl Festival is $5 for ages 13 and older, $4 for ages 3 to 12, and free for children age 2 and younger. No reservations are necessary to attend the event.
The Miller-Cory House Museum, located at 614 Mountain Ave. in Westfield, is dedicated to preserving and interpreting early American history by recreating the daily activities of farm life from 1740 to 1820. The museum is open from September through May, with the goal of educating visitors, stimulating curiosity, and fostering a lasting interest in this historical period.
For more information about the Miller-Cory House Museum, the Westfield Historical Society, and their upcoming events, visit their websites at http://millercoryhouse.com or http://westfieldhistoricalsociety.org, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
* * *
Submit Union County community news to union@njadvancemedia.com.
———
Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.