In England, as well as other countries the days from Christmas through Twelfth Night were considered a time of rest from the labors of spinning. The maidens returned to their work on St. Distaff's Day, January 7th. This day was also known as Rock Day, which is derived from the German word rocken, which means both distaff and woman's. Thus we get the expression "spinning on the rock" which many historians have erroneously confused with a place instead of a day. Although the maidens resumed their work on St. Distaff's Day, the ploughboys did not return until the Monday following Twelfth -Night. They used this discrepancy to no good by playing pranks on the busy spinners. Most traditional of these was to set fire to the tow and flax which was awaiting processing. The spinners in turn would quench the fire with buckets of water, drenching both fire and firebug.

Spinning Bee 2003 "Bee" photos Westford Museum

	We will celebrate St Distaff Day on Sunday January 6, 2008 from 1-5pm. Bring your spinning and those leftover Holiday goodies to share and the museum will put on the coffee pot. There will be a silent auction of some special items to benefit our hosts at the museum and lots of spinning and chatting!

The Westford Museum is located in the original Westford Academy school house, built in 1792. With the opening of the new Westford Academy building in 1897, the old academy building was used as a residence until 1917 when it was then moved across and down the street and converted to a firehouse and used by the Westford Fire Department until 1974.

Sign in front of the museum.

(click on photo to enlarge) Westford Museum 2 Boston Road Westford, MA 01886 Take exit 32 off Rt. 495. From the Southbound exit ramp, turn left onto Boston Road towards Westford Center or From the Northbound exit ramp, turn right onto Boston Road towards Westford Center. Drive 1 mile and the Museum is on the right, next to the Parish Center for the Arts.

Judy