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At Sanborn Mills Farm, preserving the past and planning for the future go hand in hand!
July 2017 eNews
A little history on getting the help you need in the garden & on the farm . . .
Thanks to our hardworking vegetable gardeners Emma & Jenn, the Teaching Garden is flourishing this year. But each season brings unique challenges and this summer is no exception. This year
Back in the mid-1800s information on how to solve problems was harder to come by and many rural farmers relied on their Grange society for good advice.
Responding to the many problems he observed, Kelley and a small group of like-minded individuals founded The Order of Patrons of Husbandry, The National Grange with the goal of advancing
Through the 1870s, local chapters flourished across the country. Usually equipped with a large open space, a stage, and a kitchen, the Grange Hall provided a place for members to meet and discuss farming challenges and a venue for community gatherings including performances and dances.
Th
Many historic Grange buildings can still be seen in the towns across New Hampshire. Sanborn Mills Farm has the original Loudon Surprise Grange from Loudon Village.We plan on re-erecting it, including a traditional raising of the frame, after we have completed our current infrastructure improvements in the Sanborn Barn and the New Carriage barn.Click here and here for a more detailed history of the Grange movement. Click here for more information on the New Hampshire Grange as it exists today.
It’s been a busy The annual Water-Powered Mills & Open House was well attended with over 300 people coming to learn about early farm life in New Hampshire. 
Colin Cabot demonstrating in the historic blacksmith shop. 
Jake Farmer with the sawmill crew demonstrating sawing boards on our restored water-powered saw mill. 
Tyler demonstrating the a double neck yoke with Huck & Finn.
Farm Manager Tim Huppe explaining how ox yokes are made.
July Workshops . . .
The floor cloth workshop was a busy one. Ten students from as far away as Virginia and Pennsylvania were led by instructor
Barbara Onorata from Dumfries, VA
Nancy Miner from Hopkinton, NH
Carol Brock from Francestown, NH
Nancy Miner from Hopkinton, NH
Rita Russell from Bellefonte, PA
Blacksmithing has been busy as well this month. The Allen family journeyed all the way from Banks, Oregon to take a blacksmithing workshop followed by a working cattle workshop.
Jim Allen with his newly forged hook.
Philip Allen with his double-layered trivet.
SMI teamster Tyler (left) pulling a log out of the woods with helper Greg Wright (center) & student Jim Allen (right).
Mike Allen with his two-sided trivet.
Building connections . . .
We enjoy sharing the unique history of the farm and insights into 19th “single-person” technology with groups that have common interests and goals. This summer we are hosting a few meetings. On June 24, The Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers toured the farm with a special focus on our timber framed buildings and the water-powered mills. In August, we will be hosting the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association’s (NHTOA) annual board meeting and an awards ceremony. In September, the farm will host a board meeting of the Land & Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP).
If you are interested in holding a meeting of your group or organization at the farm, contact us at
Thank you to our friends & neighbors . . .
We recently received a donation of two looms. The estate of Oliver and Mary Ellen Fifield of Canterbury donated a barn frame loom that dates from the early 1800s. Barn frame looms get their name from the timber framed method of construction. This loom has great promise and with the help of our historic loom consultant Craig Evans and our carpenter Kevin M. Schurman, it promises be a great addition to our collection. Janet (Fifield) Valdez, Oliver’s daughter, donated a 45″ four harness Leclerc loom. Leclerc’s are made in Canada and renowned for their strength and excellent craftsmanship. The Fifield’s have been generous to Sanborn Mills Farm for many years and we thank them. Steve Fifield, Oliver’s son, has worked on a wide range of restoration projects here including the mill dams, the gristmill, the Sanborn Barn, and the Grano Barn. Steve’s wife Betty has cooked up many a home-cooked meal for our workshop participants.
The Leclerc loom donated by Janet Valdez.
Partial set up of the barn frame loom donated by the Fifield family.
Photographs for this eNews by Lynn Martin Graton.
Historic posters ”
Nancy Miner from Hopkinton, NH
Rita Russell from Bellefonte, PA
Mike Allen with his two-sided trivet.
Partial set up of the barn frame loom donated by the Fifield family.
Sanborn Mills Inc. | 603-435-7314 |
A traditional New Hampshire farm and nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainability, creativity, and preserving folklife skills and agricultural knowledge so that the best of the past can help shape our future.
Nancy Miner from Hopkinton, NH
Rita Russell from Bellefonte, PA
Mike Allen with his two-sided trivet.
Partial set up of the barn frame loom donated by the Fifield family.
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Nancy Miner from Hopkinton, NH
Rita Russell from Bellefonte, PA
Mike Allen with his two-sided trivet.
Partial set up of the barn frame loom donated by the Fifield family. |
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