Thanks for a Successful 2024 Workshop Season!

Sanborn Mills Farm celebrated a vibrant 2024 workshop season, hosting nearly 500 students across 100 diverse workshops. The farm welcomed back cherished instructors like Garry Kalajian, who has been teaching Blacksmithing since 2002, and introduced new talents such as Amy Krone (Basketry) and Arielle Toelke (Fiber Arts), both returning in 2025. The farm was alive with creativity and energy as students engaged in hands-on learning. Reflecting on the season’s success, Executive Director and Founder Colin Cabot shared, “It’s heartwarming to see and hear the response of our workshop participants to this season’s offerings. And it’s rewarding to know that all the many years of building the farm’s infrastructure are paying great dividends.” With plans to expand offerings, the 2025 workshop season promises even more excitement, launching Monday, December 2nd at 8 a.m.

The Creation of an Exuberant Weathervane

When the Town of Loudon was considering building new town offices, the site chosen was that of the Loudon Grange, which had stood in Loudon Village since it was built as a Methodist Meetinghouse at the beginning of the 19th century. Town officials let Steve Fifield, of Fifield Building Restoration and Relocation, know that the old building was leaving the site and wondered whether it could be relocated rather than destroyed. Sanborn Mills Farm agreed to give it a new home and the building was disassembled in 2017 and stored in a trailer. In 2021 it was re-erected at the farm with the new natural dye studio in a full (modern) basement under the original building (43 by 50 feet with an 18-foot ceiling.)

During disassembly the structure of the original meeting house space was shown to have had a cove ceiling built of plaster on lath and the roof framing showed that there had been a steeple that had been hacked off with an axe – probably when the grange took ownership of the building at the end of the 19th century.

There are no known photographs of the building with a steeple.

This past summer a tower consisting of a belfry with a bell surrounded by a balustrade with 4 goblet finials, a copper-clad cupola, and a uniquely exuberant weathervane was added to the building which makes it the tallest structure on the property. The only thing left to find is a mechanical clock with at least two faces to be installed in the support for the belfry.

The bell has the following legend inscribed on its exterior:

Clinton H Meneely

Bell Company

Troy NH

A.D. 1880

Its pitch is B Flat and it weighs 800 pounds.

It was last used by the Grace United Methodist Church of Ravena, NY just south of Albany.

The belfry is supported by 8 16-foot octagonal posts that are anchored into mortises in the base of the tower and which project through the floor holding the bell in its chassis. The tops of the posts are bolted to the base of the cupola and decorated by semicircular arches, giving the whole creation an elegant and classical feeling.

The weathervane depicts an ox teamster with his goad stick aloft leading a single ox pulling a fully loaded ox cart into the wind. The design is thought to be unique among weathervanes, much in the way that Sanborn Mills Farm is thought to be unique among craft schools in that it is a working farm that supplies raw materials to as many of its craft workshops and their participants as practical. The question regarding what the ox cart contains remains unanswered, however.

Perhaps it is a load of grains destined to be made into whiskey, or flax to be spun into linen, or willow for basket making, or gold bullion to help support the maintenance of all the old buildings assembled on the farm.

Winter Market Fun for the Whole Family!

The 2024 Winter Market at Sanborn Mills Farm will showcase extraordinary craftsmanship, featuring an impressive lineup of talented artisans this year. Visitors can explore Ashen Carey and Garry Kalajian’s masterful blacksmithing creations, admire the intricate fiber arts of Patty Williams, and discover the striking block prints of Sarah Koff. Nik Beauchemin will share their skill in bookbinding, while Larry Antonuk and Kristen Lukach bring their expertise in broom-making. Lisa Curry Mair will present beautifully crafted floor cloths, Jill Hawkins will demonstrate the delicate art of lace-making, and Pam Bartlett will offer her stunning hooked rugs. The Winter Market promises a celebration of traditional crafts and the unique artistry of these exceptional makers. Warm food and beverages will be offered in the Sanborn Mills Farm Dining Hall and festive music will fill Fifield Hall with merriment and joy. This event should not be missed. We hope to see you there!

Pre Order Wreaths Online

2025 Workshop Sneak Peek!

Sanborn Mills Farm | www.sanbornmills.org

Sanborn Mills Farm | 7097 Sanborn Road | Loudon, NH 03307 US