Description

Students will begin by sorting broomcorn for a flat hearth broom. 

Quality, length and preparation of material will be covered. The Shaker influence on flat broom development will also be discussed. Each student will complete at least one hearth broom with the possibility of making other types as time allows. 

All materials and tools will be provided. There is a $20 material per student. Everyone is encouraged to bring a sharp pocketknife. 

Gary is a native of the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia, and started making brooms full-time over 30 years ago, allowing him to remain in the mountains he loves.  After learning his craft from master broommaker, Carlson Tuttle, at the John C. Campbell Folk School, Gary began participating in some of the finest juried craft shows in the state, including the Waterford Fair since 1994 and the Colonial Market & Fair at George Washington’s Mount Vernon since 1999.  Gary’s brooms appeared in the film Sommersby starring Richard Gere and Jodie Foster and have also been used for historical interpretation at Mount Vernon.

Register here: https://www.3rdspaceva.org/event-details/broom-making-flat-hearth-broom