First, the wool had to be shorn, gathered, and cleaned. This was generally an indoor winter activity while no other work could be done in the barn or fields.
Sheep to Shawl, Part 1: Processing the Wool
In this multi-episode presentation, Candiss Cowan discusses the value of fabric in Colonial America. In the North, clothing was made out of "homespun" wool and the quality of the fabric was based on the breed of sheep.
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Meet the Historical Society’s Summer Interns
August 14, 2025
The Scott House, headquarters of the Ridgefield Historical Society, has hosted more than a dozen interns this summer working on research, collections and social media. Meet the interns and see
A Tribute to Kay Ables, Historical Society Pioneer and Town Historian
August 14, 2025
Kay was dedicated to researching, collecting and preserving items significant to Ridgefield, much of which is now part of the Ridgefield Historical Society’s archives.
A Beautiful Day for the 2025 Ridgefield Garden Tour
July 22, 2025
Visitors from across the region gathered for a vibrant weekend filled with botanical charm, gracious hosts, and the joy of exploring exceptional outdoor spaces.
Tales from the Graveyard – Love in the Time of Banns: Marriage in Colonial Ridgefield
July 15, 2025
Courtship rituals in Ridgefield and New England in the mid-1700’s include marriage banns and Tarrying, meant to ensure successful nuptials. Learn about Eliphalet Brush and Eunice Chapman Hull’s enduring marriage