The Daniel Boone Homestead will present Heritage Wool and Textile Day on Saturday, May 14, from noon to 4 p.m. Attendees will be able to explore the history of wool and textile production in the 18th century.

Daniel Boone was the son and grandson of cloth weavers from England. As a young boy, there would have been work for him and his siblings, since the whole family would be involved in some part of the processing of wool and flax. Cloth produced in Berks County in the mid-18th century would have been made from materials grown locally. Most families raised a few sheep and grew flax, a plant used to make linen. As early as 1738, a fulling mill was built on the Manatawny Creek. A fulling mill processed the woven cloth to shrink and soften the fibers.

During the event on May 14, many of the processes needed to take the wool from the sheep to the weaver's loom will be demonstrated. There will be sheep shearing and other hands-on demonstrations. Heritage breeds such as Hog Island and Jacob sheep will be on-site.

An admission fee will be charged. There will be separate prices for adults, seniors and youths. Children age 5 and under will be admitted for free. The program is being sponsored and run by the Daniel Boone Homestead Associates.

Daniel Boone Homestead is located off Route 422 at 400 Daniel Boone Road, Birdsboro. Hours of operation are on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with guided tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The grounds are open for pedestrians from sunrise to sunset and to vehicles from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information, call 610-582-4900 or visit http://www.thedanielboonehomestead.org or http://www.facebook.com/danielboonehomestead. The Homestead is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) and is supported by the Daniel Boone Homestead Associates.