A Handful of Straw

SAT. JULY 29
&
SUN. JULY 30
A Handful of Straw
Making hats by braiding natural
fibres is considered an art by
some, but at one time it was simply
a fact of life. When labourers were
out all day under the hot sun,
protection was a necessity. During
the late 18th to early 19th century,
the wearing of straw hats by
farmers and labourers was quite
common in both North America
and Europe, since the materials
were inexpensive and readily
available. This weekend staff will
be demonstrating the traditional
art of straw-hat braiding.