Turkey-Wing Broom Making Workshop

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC | Jessica Lewis Stevens of Sugarhouse Workshop and Michelle Mackay of Dancey Pants Disco will be offering an autumn morning workshop on the grounds of the Stone House Museum for participants to learn the simple, beautiful, and traditional craft of making a turkey-wing broom by hand.

Broom-lore permeates countless cultures across the world, and as a word and a tool is one of humanity’s most ancient. Stories of brooms given as wedding gifts, woven from native grasses or bundled with twigs; Stories of brooms found with carved-out compartments in their handles for herbs, and traditions of sweeping wicked spirits from the home straight out the front door. Stories that speak of house spirits, often described in an elf-life manner, who watch over a home and are shown gratitude in the form of small offerings and regular sweeping.

In this workshop, we will use broomcorn and cord to create a folk broom you can use to sweep or simply to adorn your home. All participants will leave with a finished broom, no prior experience or skills necessary.

$70 workshop fee includes materials. Masks will be required. Email frosthouse@bennington.edu with questions, or sign up directly at the link provided.