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.  During the late 18th to early 19th centuries, the wearing of straw hats by farmers and laborers was quite common in both North America and Europe, since the materials were inexpensive and readily available. This weekend, Ross Farm staff will be demonstrating the traditional art of Straw-hat braiding.