Combing History in New Hampshire: Growing Flax, Processing Linen, and Making Clothes

Join us for a special lecture by Dr. Kimberly Alexander, Co-Director of the Woodman Museum’s new exhibit, “Combing History: Flax and Linen in New Hampshire.” Stemming from a University of New Hampshire History course titled “From Homespun to Fast Fashion: A Global History of Textiles,” this project delves into the cultivation and processing of plant fibers into clothing and household items in early America. Collaborating with experts, both graduate and undergraduate students gained practical knowledge in pre-industrial clothing production. The project blends hands-on experience with archival research, utilizing newspapers, documents, and surviving textiles from 18th to early 19th century New Hampshire. Don’t miss the exhibition, a culmination of this year-long endeavor, at the Woodman Museum.