Sheep to Shawl at Firehouse Center for the Arts

Historic New England presents “Sheep to Shawl” a hands-on interactive program where museum educators teach children and their families how we utilize the wool from our flock of sheep.

Students learn each step in the process of creating cloth. Museum teachers will roam the audience and assist the children as they pick, card, and spin wool by hand. They will then try their hand at spinning wool and create a bracelet to bring home. Keep your eyes out for our sheep on Market Square!

Historic New England is the National oldest and largest regional preservation organization. It collects and preserves buildings, landscapes, and objects dating from the seventeenth century to the present and uses them to keep history alive and to help people develop a deeper understanding and enjoyment of New England life and appreciation for its preservation. Historic New England’s school and youth programs have earned national attention for the innovative ways in which they use historical resources to reinforce and enrich student learning.

Our programs are fun, multi-disciplinary, and suited to a variety of learning styles. Designed in collaboration with local educators, programs align with state curriculum standards and allow young people to learn through multiple approaches, including hands-on activities, role-playing, and cooperative learning. Our museum educators are able to work with individual schools to tailor program curriculum to fulfill particular needs.