OTISFIELD — The Otisfield Historical Society’s second program for 2025 will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Otisfield Town House on Bell Hill Road. Join us as we welcome Cheryl Callahan and her spinning wheel to Otisfield. The program will include information on the tools used in the 18th & 19th centuries to process sheep’s fleece into yarn for spinning, which are still used to this day.

We will see them in action and discuss options available to spinners, weavers, and dyers of days gone by. The history of the sheep boom in New England reflected the economic pressures of the times. Cloth production increased when exports were restricted.

Cheryl Callahan is a retired scientist and a long-time enthusiastic weaver and spinner with a lifelong love of historic textiles and 18th-century living.  She is passionate about early spinning and weaving equipment and delights in “tuning up” the tools and teaching others proper technique.

Cheryl was trained by experts at Marshfield School of Weaving, Maiwa School of Textiles, and Penland School of Craft. She often demonstrates for many historic organizations in ME, NH, and MA. Refreshments will be available after the Program.