In this week’s episode, Candiss Cowan shows how to straighten the wool for spinning with hand cards that were made in Europe. This was a laborious process that required stamina and patience.
Sheep to Shawl, Part 2: Hand Carding 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.
More Posts
Ridgefield Historical Society Receives $35,000 CT Humanities Grant to Support Battle of Ridgefield Documentary
August 8, 2026
Connecticut Humanities to support production of The Battle of Ridgefield: A New Look at 250 bringin Ridgefield’s Revolutionary War Story to life.
“On Board” with Carsten Hils
July 28, 2026
New Board Member Carsten Hils leads the Historical Society development and fundraising efforts.
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.