Friends of Clermont - Special Events and Educational Programs

Family Wool Festival at Clermont

Spend a day in the 1800s as Clermont State Historic Site continues a 200-year-old tradition with The Chancellor’s Sheep & Wool Showcase on Saturday, April 24^th. Learn to sheer sheep, herd geese, and witness wool spun into yarn and woven into cloth. Travel back to a different time with the 1^st Ulster County Militia re-enactors. It’s a day full of family activities, local artisans, live music and delicious food from 11:00am to 4:00pm for only $8.00 per car.

This festival has a little something for everybody. Kids will love meeting sheep, llamas, ducks, and border collies. They can sit down to hear sheep stories read to them by Red Hook Library volunteers or they can make their own tee-shirts, backpacks, and toy sheep in the craft tent. Special children’s tours with a “Spot the Sheep” scavenger hunt are also available in the historic mansion throughout the day.

History buffs are encouraged to come promptly at 11:00 to see a demonstration of Revolutionary firearms by the First Ulster County Militia. Later, these same historic experts will demonstrate spinning techniques of the colonial era. Expert Fred DePaul will demonstrate three centuries of sheep shearing techniques throughout the day, and the highly-trained border collies of Wild Goose Chase will display the ancient skills and amazing human-animal partnerships required for herding.

Both experienced and novice crafters will have plenty of opportunities to improve their skills at the weaving, spinning, rug hooking, and knitting demonstrations, which run continuously throughout the day. A wealth of experienced crafters will be on hand to share their knowledge with you. Learned a new craft? Pick out beautiful supplies and handmade goods from our vendor concourse of 30 local artisans. Dazzling colors spring forth from every booth! Many of the Showcase’s best deals can be found at the Chancellor’s Silent Auction, which supports future Sheep & Wool Showcases at Clermont.

The whole family will enjoy the Celtic music of the David Godding Band and light-hearted dancing at 11:45 and 1:45. Folk musician Rich Bala will play his rousing renditions of 18^th and 19^th century tunes at 12:45 and 3:30. Filled with surprising stories about each historic song, everyone will leave Mr. Bala’s performance knowing something new.

In case of rain, please call ahead. The rain date is April 25^th. For more information on the Sheep & Wool Showcase, vendor registration, or volunteering as a knitting teacher, please contact Kjirsten Gustavson at (518) 537-4240, or visit www.friendsofclermont.org.

Clermont State Historic Site features the mansion, formal gardens, scenic Hudson River views and miles of hiking trails. The Friends of Clermont is a private, non-profit educational corporation, founded in 1977 to support and supplement the museum education and historic preservation programs at Clermont State Historic Site. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, Clermont is one of six historic sites and 13 parks administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in the Taconic Region. For more information on New York State Parks, please visit our website at www.nysparks.com.

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Shopping at the Clermont Sheep & Wool Showcase

Wool Demonstration at the Clermont Sheep & Wool Showcase