Dyeing Wool The Old Fashion Way

A costumed interpreter at Old Sturbridge Village dyeing wool yarn made from sheep raised and shorn at the Village and the wool carded and spun there.

As in the village period, she is dyeing in kettles outside over an open fire. These pictures were taken outside the Fenno House.

The "fruits of her labors," naturally dyed yarn.

Old Sturbridge Village outdoor history museum is located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

In early fall, the Center Meetinghouse is transformed into an exhibit hall as it would have looked in the 1830s, and in addition to harvest from the gardens, visitors can see items from the tinman, the printer and bookbinder, the shoemaker, the blacksmith, the cooper, and others. Submissions of butter, cheese, pickles and preserves, plus yarn (spun and/or dyed), knitted and woven goods, strawbraid, quilts, lace, bonnets, and more fill out the display.

Our MA member Chris O. went to the exhibit and share some of the photos with us. The three photos on this page show the outdoor open fire dyeing of wool yarns.