Tatting, rug making at Watson's Mill this family day

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Emma Jackson

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Kids enjoy a snowy day at Watson's Mill. This Family Day, kids and parents alike can enjoy heritage crafts and games in the carriage shed and the historic mill.

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Kids enjoy a snowy day at Watson's Mill. This Family Day, kids and parents alike can enjoy heritage crafts and games in the carriage shed and the historic mill.

EMC News - On Monday, Feb. 20 Manotick residents can celebrate Family Day the heritage way at Watson's Mill.

Since Family Day and Heritage Day fall on the same date, the historic grist mill on the Rideau River will offer a free drop-in program from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate both occasions at once.

"The idea is to share some family activities in a heritage way," said education officer Cam Trueman. He said the two occasions are well paired.

"Families are looking for things to do and places to go, and we can say 'this is how families were in the past.' We didn't sit and watch a movie, we did activities together."

The drop-in will include demonstrations in tatting, a kind of lace making that was born from sailors trying to pass the time.

"They were quite good at knots, so they would make these lacy things for their loved ones back home while they were at sea," Trueman said.

Kids can also try their hand at rag rug making, which is exactly as it sounds: taking rags and old scraps of fabric and turning them into rugs.

Trueman said there will also be some heritage crafts to work on, and heritage games to try.

The following weekend Watson's Mill will host a wine tasting event on Friday, Feb. 24 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, March 3 Edwina Richards will lead a doll making workshop from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The mill will also host a March break camp on Monday, March 12. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Watson's Mill is an 1860's grist and flour mill located in Manotick on the shores of the Rideau River.

It is a working industrial heritage site in greater Ottawa, and has been "linked to local politics, the building of a country, and a tragic love story," according to a Watson's Mill statement.

The Watson's Mill mandate is to preserve the building as a working historic grist and flour mill, and a social, cultural and educational focal point for the community and visitors.

For more information about upcoming programs or to register call 613-692-6455 or visit www.watsonsmill.com.