The Museum of Appalachia will welcome the warmth of spring by trimming the winter’s heavy growth of wool from its flock of sheep. Visitors are invited to join the Smithsonian-Affiliate museum in celebration of this pioneer tradition on April 21, May 5, and May 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sheep Shearing Days will include demonstrations of shearing, carding, spinning, and weaving the fleece into woven goods, plus real-life examples of some of the many finished products derived from the wool. Family-friendly activities will include sheep herding, Appalachian music, an animal meet & greet, and historic demonstrations like beekeeping, sawmilling, blacksmithing, and more.
Admission includes a tour of the museum farm and village, which contains some three-dozen historic log structures, exhibit halls filled with thousands of Appalachian artifacts, working gardens, and farm animals.
Tickets are available for purchase at museumofappalachia.org. Admission rates for this event are $8 per child and $10 per adult. The event is free for museum members.
School groups, homeschool organizations and groups of 20 or more can reserve their spot by e-mailingbookings@museumofappalachia.org.
The museum is located 16 miles north of Knoxville, one mile east of Interstate 75 at exit 122.