Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Deutsch Country Days Part 2 - Wood Working-Basket Weaving


It was a crisp morning with many bundled in jackets, but a perfect
Fall day in Marthasville as we walked along the village streets
     talking to the volunteers that were demonstrating skills
of early Missouri life.

The bowl maker sat in the clearing by the apple press
and across from the apple butter makers, 
what better place to sit- the aromas were amazing.
It takes him around 8-12 hours from start to finish
as he chips away at the block of wood.


I love the antlers incorporated into this basket.


Another one of the weavers wears wooden shoes
also for sale.  I remember having a pair when I was a child.
 Not very comfortable but fun to wear!


The kids get into the action using a two man
cross cut saw.  You have to remember to pull,
not push, or it will bind up.


This gentleman is making spatulas and wooden spoons


which are for sale inside.


The woodworking shop, by the saw mill, is busy
with volunteer sanding down the various items they are 
creating.


Every year I say I'd love to have a coffee grinder.
My mom has one and I always loved it.


There was a mechanical problem that day 
with the steam powered saw mill so it wasn't running
although I've seen it before. It's too bad that 
some first timers missed it.
This is the place that all the guys want to volunteer 
  to  demo, there's probably a waiting list.


When it is running it sounds like a train
and attracts a large crowd.


This is the Huber Haus which was constructed
in Perryville MO in 1842 and moved to the farm in 1974.
Many of the structures were preserved at the farm and other 
constructed on site using volunteers and original building methods.
There are plans for a large barn which will host meetings and
events including exhibits, receptions and overnight stays.


You can see Part 1 at this link.
Living History Weekend in Marthasville, MO
as Deutsch Country Days kicked off it's annual
event on the historic Luxenhaus Farm.
 The all volunteer staff demonstrated skills of the
German settlers.  It is sponsored by the Lexenhaus Farm 
German Heritage Foundation.










5 comments:

LindaG said...

Looks like a wonderful place to visit.
Thanks for sharing it with us. :-)

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

So interesting. I would love walking through there. I believe there is a living history museum about an hour from here. It seems when my kids were young our homeschool group went to something similar. Maybe it was just buildings...no demonstrations that day. But I believe they have demonstration there too.
The saws are interesting I didn't know that about the long saw...to pull only, no pushing. But makes sense. I'd love to see a steam powered mill!
I appreciate seeing all this.
Pat

Harry Flashman said...

The fascination with old ways of living must be universal. We have a very similar event at the fair grounds in August. People display old frontier skills, like soap making, shake making , etc. When the kids were home we always went but haven't been for years now.

Michelle said...

I have two coffee grinders from Germany. One hangs on the wall the other is for the counter. I use the counter one for nuts. It works better then the electric ones.

Lady Locust said...

Oooh...aaaah...I so want a coffee grinder. Alas, someday. Thank you for sharing.
Smiles