New "Silk: Moth to Cloth" Hands-on Learning Opportunity

Historic Deerfield to Offer Daily Family Activities July 1-August 14

Every day this summer, visitors to Historic Deerfield will be able to engage in an exciting new hands-on learning program called "Silk: Moth to Cloth."  Organized around a series of learning activities, the program will offer adults and youth an opportunity to see and touch live silk worms, learn about the history and processing of silk both in China and right here in Deerfield, a self-guided "Silk Road" walking tour throughout the village, and a craft activity to make a painted silk bookmark to take home.  All activities are included with general admission.

"Silk is often called the most beautiful of all textile fibers," said Faith Deerfield, Museum Educator at Historic Deerfield.  "It is so beautiful in fact, that it is hard to believe that all silk comes from a cocoon that is part of the life cycle of a moth!"

Thought to be delicate, silk is actually one of the strongest fibers known.  A single strand of silk can support many time its own weight and once it is reeled from a cocoon, silk can be spun and woven into cloth. Silk can be dyed and painted, and its elegant sheen has always suggested sophistication and affluence.  In 18th-century Deerfield, imported Chinese silk

Visitors will make a painted silk bookmark to take home.

clothing was worn by wealthy men and women, and young girls chose silken thread to embroider their finest samplers. 

The history of silk in Deerfield will be explained on several informative panels. 

Created by interns Mark Roblee and Jessica

Frankenfield from the UMass Graduate Program in Public History, these engaging displays offer text and images related to the work of the Hoyt family in producing and processing silk in the 1840s.

Historic Deerfield is home to one of the best public collections of art and antiques in America, including may examples of fine silk clothing, painted silk, and embroidered accessories.  Highlights include a man's silk suit, a needlework picture, and a silk quilt.

To share weekly updates on the silk worms, as well as answer questions submitted by participants, a new "Silk Stories" blog will be launched in July.  Visitors to the Historic Deerfield website at www.historic-deerfield.org will be able to follow these entries and subscribe to ensure they receive the weekly updates.

"Silk: Moth to Cloth" activities are designed to engage visitors of all ages, and will be offered from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. for visitors to drop-in anytime.  For more information, please call 413-775-7214, or log on to www.historic-deerfield.org.

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