We will never know how the hat ended up in the latrine in 18th century Fortress Louisburg but we can be thankful that it did, because the organic ooze that surrounded the textile preserved it….The latrine was a five-holer in the hospital, the hat was a handspun, hand-knitted cap, and the rest is history. Barbara has been interpreting the textile history of Fortress Louisburg for over 35 years for the many visitors who travel to Cape Breton. She was charged with reproducing the pattern of a knitted cap recovered during an archeological dig in 1959. Annamarie is a retired research scientist who worked with Barbara to find out how this artifact survived. The result of their efforts produced a pattern for the iconic ‘latrine hat’ and they published their results and the pattern in several places. Barbara and Annamarie will present the story of life in 18th century Louisburg and how the iconic latrine hat fit in.
(https://pieceworkmagazine.com/secrets-18th-century-knitted-hat-in-a-latrine/)
Atlantic Spinners & Handweavers, c/o Scott Manor House, 15 Fort Sackville Road, Bedford, NS B4A 2G6
