What's new at Willowbrook?

What’s new at 19^th Century Willowbrook Village? The museum has been very busy this summer, and has a number of offerings that might be of interest.

·         On September 21, 6-9PM, the museum hosts its annual outdoor/indoor gala, The Painted Pony Party. A whole pig roast will be done outdoors with salad, vegetables and breads. Desserts will be provided by Blue Elephant Catering. There will artist/artisans on site, a silent movie, a Blue Grass Band, Southern Maine Picking Society, and silent auction. The museum will be open with rides on our 1894 Armitage-Herschell horse carousel. $20 Individual; $36 couple. Call us. 

·         On September 21 & 22, silhouette artist Jean Comerford of Hardwick, MA will be doing Silhouette Portraits by Reservation. This involves cutting a likeness from life with a small, very sharp set of scissors. The portraits are done with thin black paper that is pasted on a card stock. Framing available. Duplicates available. Framing available. 10 minute sittings are between 12Noon-8PM (Sat), 10-3PM(Sun). RSVP Please. $30 a portrait, $10 duplicates; single frame $29

·         On September 27,28 & 29, we will have our second Intensive Bladesmithing Class. Eighteen hours over a three day weekend. Students will learn safety, tools, fire making, heating, cutting, hammering, shaping, hardening and tempering. The project will be a knife with a prepared tang for a handle. Students have a second beginner's choice of three fireplace tools instead of a knife. Bladesmith Adriaan Gerber of Lamoine makes knives and edge tools that are sold all over the world; he will be the instructor (see his website). $325, all tools and materials supplied. Class limited to six students. RSVP now.

·          Sat., October 5, 8-4:30 & Sun., October 6, 8-4:30, we will offer a Metal Casting Class. Peter Grant, the proprietor of Odd Duck Foundry, a small metal casting enterprise in Orrington, ME, will share his knowledge of furnace making, fuels, heating, metals, molds and casting in various metals. This 2-day class will involve creating sand cast molds, heating either brass, bronze or aluminum and casting an object(s). Some file work may be necessitated for a final product to take home. $225, tools and materials provided. RSVP, as this is limited to six.

·         Fri, Oct 12, Lecture at the Ball Room at Willowbrook, Woodlands Interpreter Ken Hamilton will discuss Tools and Hardware of the Historic Fur Trade in Maine. The talk will include a slide show and many authentic 17^th and 18^th century edge tools and trade items from the Maine frontier. Hamilton has extensive knowledge of cutlery and tools typical of this time as well as Algonquin peoples of the region. He has a long experience as an historic artifact artist and consultant supplying living history programs around the US as well as contributions to movies like the Last of the Mohicans. $10 or included in the accompanying hands-on workshop.Proceeds go the museum.

·         Sat., Oct 13 & Sun. Oct 14, 2013, blacksmithing class: Tools and Hardware of the Historic Fur Trade in Maine. Ken Hamilton will take up the topic of the Friday night lecture with this hands-on workshop. Students will be introduced to historical artifacts like Biscayne axes, tomahawks and crooked knives which were ubiquitous among woodsmen in the 17^th--18^th century Maine frontier. Students will make a strike-o-light, a fire-making tool, and a tomahawk. Tuition: $225, all tools and materials supplied.

For more information visit: willowbrookmuseum.org, blog ( search engine in right hand column): 19thcenturywillowbrookvillage.blogspot.com, or our Facebook. Call us: 207-793-2784, Email: director@willowbrookmuseum.org See the "Ken Hamilton", blacksmithing, and "Metal Casting" albums on Facebook.