A few weeks ago Karen asked about having a lacemakers’ forum connected to the blog, and Sandy suggested how that might be accomplished. I forwarded the notes to Rich, both because he’d have to set it up, but also (and mostly) because I hadn’t the slightest idea what was wanted. As so often happens, Rich was already working on something that would answer the need. He usually is two steps ahead. So, he’s working on it, and when he’s got it ready, he’ll let us know. And before he’s got it ready, I’ll figure out what it is we’re going to be getting….

I thought of an example of a compromise we make with the historical record in order to teach more history. In 1627 Plymouth Colony there was no grist mill. All the flour and even coarse meal had to be ground by hand with mortar & pestles. This must have taken an immense amount of time, really every spare moment, even if you had child labor to take advantage of. In our recreated 1627 Village grinding meal and flour by hand is talked about and demonstrated, but instead of spending as much time on it as the early colonists may have and likely did, the interpreters do plenty of other things, including sewing.

Another example: probably the vast majority of sewing done was mending. The interpreters do plenty of mending on site, but they also sew new items, like smocks and shirts, aprons, coifs, and household textiles. That way visitors to the museum see some people grinding meal, and some sewing; some of those sewing are mending and some are making new. Probably not exactly what happened in 1627, but more opportunity to teach about all the activities of the period.

I don’t like looking at a pile of text with no photos, so I threw in one of the laundry drying back in December. That’s an ironing board with no cover, up on a desk. It’s a pretty ingenious contraption Penny and Shaina rigged up in order to hang loads and loads of laundry to dry over the weekend. Piled on the floor are shoes sorted into boxes as to what repairs they needed. Hiding in back is Norah, mending on the couch.