On Saturday, April 27th, the rolling hills and river views at Clermont State Historic Site in Columbia County, NY, will be alive with the sound of music, the aroma of hot food, and the sight of yarns, soaps, and artisanal goods by local makers at The Chancellor’s Sheep & Wool Showcase, from 11 am until 4 pm. Tickets are $12 per car.
This family-friendly event, one of the historic site’s oldest and most popular annual festivals, includes sheering demonstrations, farm animals, and historic reenactments.
Over two dozen local makers will be selling their wares, including a broad assortment of fiber arts, like wool and yarn, as well as soaps, art pieces, handmade rugs, tote bags, jewelry, and more.
Clermont’s demonstrations are the centerpiece of the Showcase, illustrating how wool goes from sheep to shawl. Fred DePaul will demonstrate sheep shearing throughout the day, explaining the history and technique that goes into the task.
Historic fiber and cloth demonstrations will go on throughout the day. Kids and the young at heart will are invited to play with historic toys and try out 18th century games. Tours of the historic mansion will be available on the hour.
The music stage will include Tamarack for lively traditional music throughout the day. Coffee will be served by Happie Bean Coffee and hot food will be made-to-order by At First Bite.
For more information about the Sheep & Wool Showcase, or for other questions about the Clermont, call (518) 537-4240.
Clermont State Historic Site is located at 1 Clermont Avenue in Germantown, off Route 9G.
The Historic Site features the mansion, formal gardens, scenic Hudson River views and miles of hiking trails. Clermont is part of The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s Our Whole History Initiative, which seeks to tell a more complete story of the site including the enslaved people, servants, Indigenous people, and other underrepresented groups who called Clermont home.
The Friends of Clermont is a private, non-profit educational corporation, founded in 1977 to support and supplement the museum education and historic preservation programs at Clermont State Historic Site. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, Clermont is one of six historic sites and 15 parks administered by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in the Taconic Region.
Clermont is open for tours Thursday through Sunday 11 am until 4 pm, year-round. Tours admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors/students. Children under 12 are free. Clermont’s grounds are open from 8:30 am to sunset every day.
Photo provided by Friends of Clermont.
