From the Dunn Daily Record - April 21, 2008
--by Reece Murphy, reporter

Fiber, its products and the animals and plants that produce it was the theme of the day at the Averasboro Battlefield Museum this Saturday as visitors from across the area attended the second annual Averasboro Fiber Festival.

According to official estimates, more than 1,500 people attended the event, the only one of its kind in Eastern North Carolina.

With the museum and the battlefield it commemorates situated on the site of the old Smith family plantation, Museum Director of Operations C.C. Livingston said the Fiber Festival fits right in with the museum's mission.

"Plantations were self-sufficient and this was a part of plantation life," Mr. Livingston said.

"At the Averasboro Battlefield Commission, we are inclusive of everything having to do with plantation life; the history of the plantations and that sort of thing as well as the battle itself.

"Just like the river and the Transportation Museum we're working on at the John Smith house, fiber draws it all together ...," he said.

During the festival, visitors got the chance to learn about every step in the process of turning fiber into cloth.

One of the biggest draws of the day was Donald Thomas of Jackson Springs and his working border collies, Belle, Nap and Lass.

"(Border Collies) have been used to herd sheep, cattle and goats for hundreds of years," Mr. Thomas said. "They're called border collies because they originated on the border between Scotland and England."

Following both voice and whistle commands, Mr. Thomas and others who train and work the dogs take advantage of the dogs' high intelligence, natural instincts and speed to do the work of several men.

"They love to work," Mr. Thomas said. "That's one of the main characteristics of border collies. They live to please their masters."

As a side note, the dogs also do side work for Mr. Thomas.

"We use the dogs to do geese control at Pinehurst resorts," he said.

Jane Bynum of the Twisted Threads Fiber Arts Guild and her fellow guild members were also on hand offering visitors the chance to try their hand at spinning yarn.

She said the festival was a great chance for people to learn a little about something they usually pay very little attention to.

Mrs. Bynum said the festival showed the whole gamut of steps associated with the journey of fiber from the animal or plant, to finished product.

"I think people are way to separated from where things come from," she said. "If you ask where do clothes come from, most people say, 'the store.'

"But somewhere up the stream there's a cotton plant or a sheep," she said. "This festival has everything, the animals, the people making the crafts and those selling the finished products, so you get to see every step in the process."

Robert Whaley of Four Oaks attended the festival with his son Jacob and other family friends. He said it was an interesting way to spend the day.

"We just like history," Mr. Whaley said. "This is a good way to learn how it was back then. It kind of gives you an appreciation for modern technology."

Mr. Livingston said he was glad the public enjoyed the festival and said he and his fellow board members at the museum are already looking forward to next year's festival.

"We hope it continues to grow and invite people to come on out and visit us next year," he said. "It's a lot of fun."