FERRISBURGH — Without paper and ink, the abolitionists who once lived at Rokeby Museum could not have worked with their network of people to assist fugitives from slavery. Nor could they have printed posters to advocate for the end of slavery.
Fast forward about 190 years to Rokeby Museum today. Papermaker Jon Turner (from Wild Roots Farm in Bristol), printer John Vincent (from A Revolutionary Press in New Haven) and bookbinder Jane Ploughman (from Ploughgirl Press in New Haven) are offering families and adults the opportunity to get a taste for papermaking and letterpress printing on May 11 and 12. Paper will be made with a bicycle-powered beater and cast off clothing and fibers from plants gathered in Addison County. Printing will focus on table-top presses, moveable type and tools of the 19th century hand-printing trade.
Drop in anytime to roll up your sleeves and get creative. And if you have a special message to write on your hand-made paper, all the better. You’ll be joining in the long tradition of using pen, paper and ink for good. The program takes place at Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh, Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, May 12, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is $12 per person for all ages.
This program is part of a collaboration between the Charlotte Library; the Charlotte Congregational Church, UCC; and Rokeby Museum. Works produced by A Revolutionary Press will be on exhibit at the library and church throughout May.
For more info visit rokeby.org.