Rollinsford, NH- The ancient craft of spinning – once a necessity for creating textiles for clothing and furnishings - is now a craft pursued by artisans and hobbyists as an expression of personal creativity. Wheels of Industry: New England Spinning Wheels, a new exhibit at Rollinsford’s historic Colonel Paul Wentworth House, features several early examples of these important tools of domestic industry. The exhibit is on view on Saturdays from 1 to 4 pm through October 8, and at other times by appointment.

Drawn primarily from the collection of Tare Shirt Farm in Berwick, Maine, Wheels of Industry features a variety of early spinning wheels, including great wheels, treadle wheels, double flyers, a chair wheel, and a castle wheel. While some of the wheels were made by local artisans, the majority were produced throughout New England and, in one case, Quebec.

In conjunction with Wheels of Industry, the Wentworth House is also hosting Spinning Sundays on the last Sunday of each month through September 25. Visitors are invited to drop in and learn to spin from 11 am to 1 pm (free; all materials provided and no registration required), or bring their own wheel or other fiber arts project for a Spin-In from 1 to 4 pm. As an added bonus, at 1 pm on July 31, textile expert Peter Cook will demonstrate flax processing, followed by a guided tour of the exhibit.

Located on Water Street in Rollinsford, the circa 1701 Wentworth House is maintained by the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH) as an educational and cultural center for the community. For more information, send an email to paulwentworthhouse@gmail.com.

Contact:  Julia Roberts

Email: paulwentworthhouse@gmail.com

Phone: 603-749-1966