Indigo dyeing brings history to life in Brunswick County

WINNABOW, NC (WWAY) — Visitors at Brunswick Town/fort Anderson State Historic Site (BTFA) had the opportunity Saturday to learn about history while crafting. 

The site hosted “The Carolina Blues: Indigo on the Cape Fear” where participants learned about the fermentation process of indigo and how laborers extracted the dye from indigo plants. 

They also tried resist dyeing.  

Abby Williams and Andrew Craver are historical interpreters (historical interpreter-two) at BTFA.  

They say having an opportunity for a hands-on learning experience is important. 

“To allow the community to come to the site and get their hands on history. Having the opportunity to participate in this gives a very tactical hands on experience,” Williams said 

“Actually involved, helping with that process is really really important for people to learn new things about the region and what was going on here during the 18th century,” Craver said. 

Williams adds it’s important to bring the community to the site so after they dye something they can walk around the site and learn more history.