Sheep Shearing Day

In pioneer Appalachia, farmers sheared their sheep each spring for wool to spin into yarn or fill quilts. The Museum of Appalachia will renew this annual ritual on April 28th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., trimming the winter’s growth of heavy wool from its flock of sheep. The wooly animals will be trimmed by Kentucky native John Cooper, who will explain the process to onlookers while using vintage hand-cranked shears operated by “student power.” Spinning, weaving and quilting demonstrators will show how wool was used to make yarn and quilt batting in the days before ready-made clothing and superstores.