While a flax field might not seem an obvious place to find a historian, it\u2019s the heart of Alexandra Macdonald\u2019s hands-on research project that weaves together untold stories of textile makers in the 1700s.<\/p>\n
The Postdoctoral Fellow and historian of material culture joined Brock\u2019s Department of History earlier this year to further her research in 18th-century textile and dye-making practices, with a focus on natural dyes and fibres like indigo and flax.<\/p>\n
Macdonald\u2019s research is rooted in the historical context of the British Atlantic, specifically drawing on Irish flax traditions from the 1700s and 1800s. A key part of her research is understanding tacit knowledge of the time to recover lost skills of historical makers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI study many sources, including historical recipe books, that describe the processes of crafting, dyeing and medicinal concoctions to uncover lost or obscured knowledge passed through generations through oral and informal written history. Often, they are authored by women or marginalized groups,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Macdonald is particularly interested in how historical makers of textiles used sensory experiences to inform their processes.<\/p>\n
\u201cSmell, texture and visual cue were used to great effect in the historical processes of extracting colorants from plants and transforming raw fibres into textiles long before scientific methods were formalized,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Macdonald\u2019s current project in collaboration with The Brown Homestead involves cultivating flax in dense three by eight foot plots from seed to fibre, with hopes to eventually spin and weave it into linen fabric, mirroring historical methods that date back centuries.<\/p>\n
The first phase, Macdonald said, is focused on testing the viability of flax crops at the heritage site, which is the oldest heritage home in St. Catharines.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe plan is to harvest the plants, dry and “rett” (soak) them, then break and comb the fibres for future spinning. Next year, we hope to complete the process to the spinning stage, and test dyeing with both local and non-local natural dyes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Jessica Linzel (BA \u201918, MA \u201921), Director of Research and Collections at The Brown Homestead and a Brock History graduate, said the team is thrilled to partner with Macdonald as she conducts part of her flax and material culture research on site.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough The Brown Homestead is now a cultural centre and community space, this historic site has, for most of its existence, served as a family farm. We feel a sense of pride in watching the land fulfill its historical purpose once again by growing crops to serve the community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n