Historic Halifax Saturday will honor Labor Day with demonstrations of various 18th Century jobs.
State Historic Site Manager Robert Bemis said there will be printing press, beer brewing and laundry demonstrations. There will be textile demonstrations from wool carting to spinning and demonstrations of drop spindles and natural dyeing.
There will be a militia musket demonstration along with gardening, cooking and men’s and women’s sewing.
The laundress was very important in the 18th Century, Bemis said. The laundress during Saturday’s demonstration will portray a camp follower and will show how lye and indigo was used to keep clothes clean and bright.
The demonstration will be a glimpse at the jobs which were available in Halifax during the time period, Bemis said.
Other than farming, jobs in Halifax would have included blacksmiths, farriers and coopers as well as dock laborers.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and there is a $2 charge for the program with free admission for children 12 and younger. Proceeds will go to the State Historic Site to enhance programming, Bemis said.
The activities will be held by the tap room and clerk’s office.