Broom Making - All Things Whisk

Students will learn the history of broomcorn and broommaking.  Tools and  materials will be discussed, as well as the unique quality of broomcorn  as a broommaking material.  Each student will have an opportunity to make at least one cobweb broom,  one round Shaker broom, one round hand broom, and one turkey wing style  broom.  Additional brooms will be made as time allows. Participants  should bring a sharp knife.

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.