About an hour and a half away from the city, Mountain Craft Days take place at the Somerset Historical Center grounds. This year was the 44th year for the event!
V saw it mentioned on TV and it look interesting so she suggested we go.
Clear weather and lots of interesting demonstrations – here is a sampling of what we saw- blacksmithing, log splitting, cider making, basket making, spinning, lacemaking, pewter making, wood carving, felting and knitting, weaving, soap making, food preparation and if you are into “coopering” you can even get some materials and supplies at the Center to make your barrels.
Dulcimer music wafted through the woods, the smell of wood fire. A bagpiper walking down the path and some Civil War reenactors with drums and fifes marching past the covered bridge. Bought some dried apples that were nothing but apples, very tasty and tried a Maple Walnut sundae with real maple syrup.
The Broom Maker- Lone Oak Brooms – Bob Haffly from Amberson PA
He was so nice and said I could photograph him when I asked. We watched him make a broom from start to finish and it was amazing to see. You can watch the YouTube video of his making a broom below.
Who knew there were so many different types of brooms. Brooms for kitchen floors and brooms for concrete floors and whisk brooms and all handmade with a machine made in the late 1800’s. Seriously.
A carousel horse carver
Woman walking down the path carrying a basket
Lacemakers from Five Rivers Bobbin Lacemakers You can try your hand at it, right on site!
Blacksmith and Storytelling
White Oak Basket Making
Fried Mush Lots of wood fires burning
A bagpiper walking and playing along the path
The log cabin and the cooking demonstration were interesting.
An apiarist explained how he harvests the honey.
The loaves of bread baked in the Dutch Oven.
Glowing coals inside the log cabin called a Settler’s Cabin.
Be sure to go and watch Bob Haffly craft a broom on YouTube
Your photographs are just fabulous and sent the spirit ! I would love to go to this next year !
Amazing pictures, just like we were there with you!!!! Thank you for sharing…the horse carver…wow!!!!
That lace making picture was crazy. I’ve never seen that done before.
Beautiful story told through these pictures— I love that people still make items by hand.
Looks like a great place to spend an afternoon, RUth. I would find lace making fascinating. How ever does she keep things in order? As for the broom maker, I need to check the maker of my last broom purchase. That broom has proven to be worth less than the stuff it sweeps. Your Mr. Hafly needn’t worry. I bought mine at one of the big box stores. I very much doubt he’d have anything to do with them. I should follow his lead. 🙂
A wonderful photographic tour of the crafts in Somerset. Thank you for sharing.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
The broom making was very interesting. I bet you enjoyed this day. Thanks for sharing. Lovely pictures.
I enjoyed all your photos of the people dressed in period costumes and the things they were making and baking. All of the wonderful outdoor arts and crafts fairs have started here now. I hope to go to some of them as they are from now until November and of course, lots of indoor Christmas festivals, too.
Some nice photos, with the atmosphere of ancient times
Yes, it was an interesting scene. Thanks
These brooms are just like the ones the Africans sell in South Africa. It was interesting to see how they are made. Fascinating photos of this very busy craft market. 🙂
This reminds me of my recent visit to Fort Snelling (http://smilekiddo.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/33-visit-historic-fort-snelling-part-1/) – minus the bagpipes. Seems that you and I are running in similar circles lately. 🙂