Learn About Traditional Farm Crafts

From Patch Reports

The annual Sheep to Shawl festival Saturday, April 14, will display traditional farm crafts.

Families can learn about blacksmithing, candle dipping, open-hearth cooking, and sheep shearing at the event, from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Visitors to the history center's Smith Family Farm will be transported to the 1860s to explore the lifestyle of a 19th century Georgia farm, according to a news release.

The importance of shearing sheep’s wool each spring will be shown at the Smith Family Farm barnyard, with shearing demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Each child will receive a handful of wool as a keepsake before taking part in activities that show the process of how the wool is made into a shawl.

Living history interpreters will present exhibitions of blacksmithing, pottery, wookworking, open-hearth cooking and other crafts and chores. Betty Ann Wylie will tell Southern folktales, and Cindy Musselwhite and Friends will play traditional music on the front porch.

Guided tours of the Atlanta History Center's Historic Quarry Garden will be given at 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

Performances of "Clay: Palm to Earth, the story of Dave Drake" will be given at the Mable Dorn Reeder Amphitheatre at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Born enslaved in 1801, Drake — traditionally known as Dave the Potter — was taught to turn pots and learned to read and write, often signing much of his pottery and inscribing them with poems, the announcement said.

This special program is included with the price of general Atlanta History Center admission and is free to members. For information, call 404-814-4000.


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