Sun. April 28 1-4 pm Explore Hand-Spinning & Weaving in the 21st Century at Durand-Hedden

Shuttles, Spindles, and Flyer Wheels: Hand Spinning and Weaving in the 21st Century 1:00 to 4:00 pm, Sunday, April 28, 2019

On Sunday, April 28, 2019, at the Durand-Hedden House in Maplewood, the Essex County Hand Spinners Guild will demonstrate the magical art of spinning fibers into yarn on hand spindles and spinning wheels, some antique or traditional in appearance, and some contemporary with a modern look. Weavers will also demonstrate how cloth is made on a variety of looms and there will be examples of woven fabric. Visitors of all ages will be invited to try their hands- at spinning and weaving.

Spinning and weaving fibers have been part of human existence for tens of thousands of years. While the tools have been modified over time, the basic result of twisting fibers into useable string, yarn or rope and then weaving it in an organized manner remains the same. Despite the industrial revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries, which mechanized these processes, people throughout the world carry on these earlier practices and many follow traditions particular to a specific culture. In the United States, hand spinners and weavers continue these crafts for the love of learning about, and continuing a tradition, and the ability to produce yarns and fabrics that are unique. 

The popular exhibit Exploring Golf Island will also be on display at Durand-Hedden for visitors. Durand-Hedden will be open  1:00 – 4:00 pm for visitors and shoppers. Admission is free but donations are welcome.

Country Shopping

Check out our Country Store’s historic-themed treasures: early American games, books, and toys; facsimile documents; quill pens and ink; historic cookbooks; cookie molds; tin lanterns; and reproductive decorative items and ceramics. There is local honey and the Original 1910 Chocolate Fudge Sauce. You’ll also discover the hard-to-find original Doors of Maplewood poster, Smile: A Pictorial History of Olympic Park 1887-1965, and the acid-free reproduction of the charming 1931 Map of Maplewood. 

About Durand-Hedden House and Garden

Durand-Hedden House is dedicated to telling the history of the development of Maplewood and the surrounding area in new and engaging ways. It is located in Grasmere Park at 523 Ridgewood Road in Maplewood. For more information or to arrange group tours call 973-763-7712. You can also visit our website at durandhedden.org and find us on Facebook and Twitter.