Object in Focus: Spinning Wheels

Join Collections Manager and Curator of Textiles Rebecca Beall for a behind-the-scenes look at some of Old Sturbridge Village’s collection of spinning wheels. Before the introduction of mechanized spinning, thread needed to be spun by hand. One popular device used during the late 18th and early 19th centuries was the great wheel or walking wheel, which required the user to walk back and forth next to the wheel. However, with the growth of textile mills and manufacturing in the early 19th century, these spinning wheels quickly went out of fashion and were relegated to the attic.

[@czerniana]

As a spinner, I love that you guys have all these wheels and keeping them maintained! I have a 200+ year old great wheel that I need to do some fixes for, as it was just not as well loved as it needed to be. I started spinning in my 20’s and just fell in love. I’m only 39 now, and where I started with a drop spindle, I now have several different types of spinning methods, and weaving looms. If they had taught us how to do stuff like this when we were kids I’d have known at a young age how much I love it. Wouldn’t have wasted decades finding my niche in the world.

[@pianoreigns]

I have a spinning wheel in my family that my great great grandmother used

[@richelleg225]

Our family was able to see a great wheel in use during your Wool Days! I love textiles, and it was a wonderful village wide presentation!

[@barringtonlandtrust]

Great presentation.

[@Charlesdward6491]

I am eager to get back to OSV. Last time my son had no interest and stayed at my parents whilst my wife amd I went. After years of reading books from the mid to late 1800's, he has a more keen sense to see some living history. Last time I was there the armory was closed, has that reopened?

[@OldSturbridgeVillage]

We do not have an armory. We do have a militia exhibit, which showcases uniforms, firearms, and other militia-related artifacts from the OSV Museum Collection.

[@Charlesdward6491]

@@OldSturbridgeVillage That, undoubtedly, is what I was thinking of. After seeing those at Fort Ticonderoga, no doubt my son would like to see your exhibit.