Historian Alan Keyser will present an illustrated program on the distinctive textiles of the early Pennsylvania Dutch. Before 1860 many of the fabrics used at home were hand spun, locally dyed, and custom hand loomed. Farmers raised the flax for linens and sheep which produced the woolens. From these farm raised fibers, they were able to make their table linens, bed linens, towels, coverlets, grain bags and work clothes. Alan Keyser is a noted expert on these early textiles and the weavers who wove them and will discuss the process of growing and weaving, along with the various types of textiles.
The program is open to the public with admission by donation. No registration is needed.