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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Ridgefield LGBTQIA+ Oral History Project Wins 2026 AASLH Award of Excellence
June 27, 2026
Our collaborative community history project has received national recognition for bringing long-overlooked voices into Ridgefield’s historical record and expanding how local history is preserved, shared, and understood.
Ridgefield Historical Society Awards 2026 Scholarship to Pearce Steele
June 27, 2026
This year’s scholarship honors a student whose academic achievement and community involvement reflect the values at the heart of local history work.
The Queer Side of Ridgefield
June 27, 2026
This new book shares LGBTQIA+ experiences of Ridgefield through personal stories gathered during our community oral history project, preserving voices and perspectives that will broaden the understanding of the town’s
Ridgefield Historical Society Seeks Garden Volunteers for Historic Properties
June 3, 2026
A hands-on volunteer group is helping preserve the beauty and character of the outdoor spaces that surround some of Ridgefield’s most distinctive historic and architectural landmarks.