Flax to Linen Lecture April 11 CAMPTON HILLS, IL: On Saturday April 11th at 10 am, Garfield Farm Museum invites the public to explore this historic and timely subject in “Linen’s Journey – From Seed to Fabric (Part 1),” presented by long-time historical interpreters and fiber artists Tom and Joanne Blodgett. This illustrated presentation examines what makes flax and linen unique, tracing their history, uses past and present, and the anatomy and growth cycle of the flax plant. The program follows flax from planting and cultivation through harvesting and the early stages of fiber preparation, concluding with a discussion of spinning both tow and line flax. For thousands of years, flax has been cultivated, processed, and spun into linen which is one of humanity’s oldest and most durable textiles. Today, as interest grows in sustainable fibers, flax is again drawing attention. The USDA has identified fiber flax as a potential component of a renewed domestic textile industry by 2035. In contrast to this future vision, Illinois once played a significant role in flax production, with more than 4,600 acres planted in 1889, while modern U.S. production remains minimal. Presenters Tom and Joanne Blodgett bring decades of experience to the program. Tom has more than thirty years of experience in environmental education and historical interpretation and currently serves as Lead Weaver and Historical Interpreter at Blackberry Farm in Aurora, Illinois. Joanne, also a spinner and weaver at Blackberry Farm, has spent nearly two decades interpreting historic textile production. Together, they have taught spinning and weaving since 1981 and have raised and worked with flax for more than forty years, offering audiences a rare depth of practical and historical knowledge. This lecture serves as the foundation for a follow-up hands-on flax processing workshop that will take place later in the season at Garfield Farm Museum on June 13th. Participants who wish to deepen their understanding of flax processing will have the opportunity to see these techniques demonstrated in detail during the second program. A $10 donation is requested for this program. For reservations, call the museum at (630) 584-8485, or email at info@garfieldfarm.org. Garfield Farm Museum is located 5 miles west of Geneva, IL off ILL Rt. 38 on Garfield Road. The 374-acre site is a historically intact former 1840s farm and teamster inn being restored as an 1840s working farm museum by volunteers and donors from around the country.  Please email info@garfieldfarm.org or call 630 584-8485 if you have questions. Donations can be mailed to the museum at P.O.Box 403 LaFox, IL 60147 or go online to our website www.garfieldfarm.org and click on the Donate button. Thank you.