- >> archives
- >> Sheep to Shawl
Sheep to Shawl
From the venue:
Guests experience the process of cloth making though demonstrations and activities that range from sheep shearing and wool dyeing to spinning and weaving. Gather the entire family for a full day of fun that also includes open-hearth cooking, blacksmithing, candle making, live music, and more at Smith Family Farm.
This program is included in the cost of general admission; free to members.
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Smith Family Farm
Shearing Demonstrations
11:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm
The arrival of spring means haircuts for the animals at Smith Family Farm. This traditional activity, demonstrated on our working farm, invites visitors to watch as the sheep and angora goats shed their winter fleece.
Storytime with Mama Koku
11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm
Bring the kiddos for this interactive storytelling experience as Mama Koku spins beloved folktales.
Clay: Palm to Earth
12:15pm, 1:15pm, 3:15pm, 4:15pm
Duration: 20 minutes
This Meet the Past performance of “Clay: Palm to Earth,” by Atlanta History Center playwright Addae Moon, dramatizes the story of noted South Carolina potter Dave Drake. Born enslaved in 1801, Drake — who came to be known as Dave the Potter — was taught to turn large clay pots and learned to read and write. He often signed much of his pottery and inscribed his pieces with poems, revealing his literacy at a time when it was illegal for an enslaved person to read and write. This performance explores the notion of literacy as a form of resistance and its impact on the shaping of one’s identity.
After the performance, admire two major Dave the Potter works on display in the Shaping Traditions: Folk Arts in a Changing South exhibition.
Live Music! Flatpickin’ Inc.
1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm
Flatpickin’ Inc.’s sound is country-folk style with an infusion of bluegrass.
Flatpickin’ Inc. includes Leslie Crum, vocals; Terry Austin, acoustic guitar and vocals; Paige Garwood, bass, acoustic guitar, ukulele, vocals; Kirby Black, acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro, vocals; and Ryan McDonald, percussion (cajón, full drums). Between them they have several hundred years of musical experience!
Open-Hearth Cooking
Ongoing
Ever wondered where those Southern comfort foods originated? Witness demonstrations and learn how the enslaved community shaped Southern food traditions that we love today.
Music and Resistance
Ongoing
Discover the rich history of the djembe, shakere, and other West African instruments — how they shaped and were shaped by America’s enslaved community. Learn about resistance through music by playing and singing along with our museum interpreters.
Additional Ongoing Activities
- Blacksmithing
- Candle Dipping
- Wool Washing
- Natural Dyeing
- Carding and Spinning
- Weaving
- Woodworking
- Open-hearth Cooking
Swan House
Cricket’s Mobile Petting Zoo
Ongoing
Be sure to stop by the petting zoo, complete with a variety of friendly barnyard animals.
Ride that Train!
Ongoing
All aboard as kids enjoy a ride on the trackless train.
Food for Sale
Souper Jenny
Souper Jenny, which shares a chic, funky café space with BRASH Coffee, will be serving from its healthful menu.
Member Perk: Sheep to Shawl Preview - 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Take advantage of this member perk and enjoy access to all that Sheep to Shawl has to offer before everyone else arrives. There will be an exclusive sheep shearing for members during the preview as well as a petting zoo, trackless train rides, crafts, and complete access to the Smith Family Farm.
Reservations are highly recommended for member perk programming. Please RSVP to membership@atlantahistorycenter.com or call 404.814.4101.