Historic Homes Magazine Spring 2024

The Editor ast Look

metimes it’s all in a name.

everyone and Happy Spring! The best way to describe Spring in England is we all come out of hibernation. It is a time for rebirth, h and reset. Historic Homes Magazine’s Spring visit to Long d last spring was to visit the Old House situated in Cutchogue. A ct name for someone whose passion is old houses. Long Island has long recorded history from the first European settlements in the century to today. The Old House has many attributes, “it is ly as one of the most distinguished surviving examples of English stic architecture in America.” It was truly a memorable day hosted ark Macnish, the executive director of the Old House. Thank you for your knowledge and expertise, along with gathering fresh lilacs owers from the property. ope you enjoy our Spring issue featuring “The Old House”.

Goes to

ditor's choice

long island

a

In 4 our Spring 32 14

books roses sea.

I am and that a rose doll weremaker, water carried antique were andused collector soldasbya and form itinerant oldof currency! house peddlers lover! known as "chapmen".

Issue

54 38 34

sethe / Clock delicate, Museum velvety is onemascarpone of Grafton's and the ess t buildings, of strawberries constructed fallingininthe rhythm. early 1700's hat was then known as the Hassanamisco ment.

4 The Old House - It is "notable as one of most distinguished surviving examples of sh domestic architecture in America."

78

SheilainM. Belanger “middling” houses Rhode Island at the end of theOwner/Editor/Publisher/Photographer 18th century.

Dennis Belanger Design and Layout Matt Belanger Director of Digital and Social Media In Print Visit www.historichomesmagazine.com Online: Visit www.historichomesmagazine.com Newsletter: Visit www.historichomesmagaine.com Social Media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/historichomesmagazine Facebook: www.facebook.com/historichomesmagazine You Tube: www.youtube.com/@historichomesmagazine Questions contact@historichomesmagazine.com 860-413-2361 Historic Homes Magazine, Spring 2024 ©

by Historic Home Magazine All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only.

Printed in USA

MY OLD

HOUSE BY THE SEA

The Old Kitchen

The Old Kitchen

Oliver Griffin House

ed in the back of this property. It burned in 1820 . Samuel, Oliver's Father was a housewright. er is listed as a yeoman but also a fisherman or sailor at times. He married Mary Wise in 1761 and the help of his father , built this house on the small piece of land he got from his father. He and had at least 10 children in this little house. Several died early. The house passed to his brother Epes in, then to two men who ran a tannery up the street. By the 1840's the house was in the hands of ers. The last farmer to own the house was Warren Harvey ,who bought it in 1868 and farmed here he died in 1907. His wife sold the house to the Norton family in the 1920's. The house was lived in eople that didn't have extra money to make changes to the house or even add additions on to it. It d intact throughout the 18th and 19th centuries . At times I think it was rented and even listed as cupied in one of the census records. By the time the Nortons , who lived in Boston, bought the e as a summer residence , there was a great deal of interest in Colonial and early New England tecture. They restored what needed fixing and added a new kitchen addition to the back , which is ame one I have and haven't changed. The next addition was added around 1945 or so.

hereabouts. There were dozens all around Gloucester and Cape Ann , many altered , added to by a larger house or torn down. This is one of the rare survivors that have an intact interior."

CHAPBOOKS

EENTH CENTURY AND, ALTHOUGH THE TERM 'CHAPBOOK' HAS SOMETIMES BEEN EMPLOYED AS A "CONSCIOUS ARCHAISM", IALLY FOR SMALL-PRESS POETRY VOLUMES, IT HAS NOT BEEN IN CURRENT USE SINCE ABOUT 1830. IN FACT, UNTIL JAN S UNCOVERED EVIDENCE OF ITS USE AS EARLY AS 1747, IT WAS LONG BELIEVED THAT THE TERM "CHAPBOOK" WAS A EENTH CENTURY CONVENTION AND THAT IT WAS USED RETROSPECTIVELY TO DESCRIBE "A FORM OF LITERATURE THAT Y THEN VANISHED". THE TERM "CHAPMAN" DERIVES FROM THE ANGLO SAXON CEAPMAN, WHICH IS A COMBINATION WORD NG TRADE + MAN, BUT MANY SCHOLARS HAVE SPECULATED THAT THE PREFIX "CHAP" MIGHT BE A CORRUPTION OF THE CHEAP, AND THEREFORE REFERS TO THE QUALITY OF THE LITERATURE.

"I am a doll maker, antique collector and old house lover"!

ast owner ,whose estate we bought the e from was Margaret ( Peggy ) Norton. nd her sister , both never married, were bers of a group of amazing graphic arts d "The Folly Cove Designers. Peggy Dorothy were among the best of this dible group. It was started by the derful artist and writer Virginia Lee on. designs were beautiful and sold all the country. We found many prints fabrics left behind in the barn where y and Dorothy worked."

"I am a doll maker, antique collector and old house lover"!

The last owner ,whose estate we bought the house from was Margaret ( Peggy ) Norton.

She and her sister , both never married, were members of a group of amazing graphic arts called "The Folly Cove Designers. Peggy and Dorothy were among the best of this incredible group. It was started by the wonderful artist and writer Virginia Lee Burton.

Their designs were beautiful and sold all over the country. We found many prints and fabrics left behind in the barn where Peggy and Dorothy worked."

it came on the market for a great deal of money....I wanted it perately....It was in need of EVERYTHING!! I am not sure how we ged it but it became ours February 14th of 2003. The work began. New ic ,plumbing, handmade windows , and a wood roof was the start. 20 years we are still working on the house and gardens plus the huge barn . I am a believer in the old adage "If it ain't broke ,don't fix it , if it is ,then replace ike kind" I follow that by carefully fixing the necessary and living with the nal . I am a steward not an owner....Needs to pass this on as a survivor of a past life or I guess I should say Lives."

2002, it came on the market for a great deal of money....I wanted it ...desperately....It was in need of EVERYTHING!! I am not sure how we managed it but it became ours February 14th of 2003. The work began. New electric ,plumbing, handmade windows , and a wood roof was the start. 20 years later we are still working on the house and gardens plus the huge barn . I am a firm believer in the old adage "If it ain't broke ,don't fix it , if it is ,then replace with like kind" I follow that by carefully fixing the necessary and living with the original . I am a steward not an owner....Needs to pass this on as a survivor of a long past life or I guess I should say Lives."

Flowers &

Gardens

The Cottage at the head of Lobster Cove

The Cottage at the head of Lobster Cove

Roses as currency?

nd. In fact, the demand was igh that roses and rose r were used as a form of ency! Empress Josephine part was a rose enthusiast, created one of the most sive formal rose gardens in world.

Roses as currency?

demand. In fact, the demand was so high that roses and rose water were used as a form of currency! Empress Josephine Bonapart was a rose enthusiast, and created one of the most extensive formal rose gardens in the world.

Strawberry Tiramisu

nced to perfection, with notes of vanilla ding with the delicate, velvety mascarpone the tartness of strawberries falling in hm.

• Combine 16 Ladyfinger the mascarpone cookies cheese, cream, icing sugar, and vanilla bean paste in a Strawberry bowl. Puree • Beat 200 gms themStrawberries together, using an electric beater, until thick and creamy.

Assembly • 2-3 tbsp Sugar • Dip 100 ml a ladyfinger Water cookie in the strawberry puree. Place it at the bottom of the Mascarpone serving glass.

Mixture you may need to break it into 2-3 pieces to make it fit.

• Add 200 gms 1-2 Mascarpone tsp of the puree cheese on top.

• Add 150 gms a heaped Creamtablespoon of the cheese mixture. You may need to add more, • 35 gms Icing depending on thesugar glass you are using.

• Add 1/2 tspone Vanilla more layer bean of paste cookie, puree, and then cheese mixture. Add a little bit of • Fresh the pureestrawberries on top of theand last cheese layer.

•Chocolate Repeat for shavings all the for dessert glasses.

•topping Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

•Instructions Top with fresh strawberries and chocolate shavings before serving. Enjoy!

• Keep 8 dessert glasses/ bowls handy.

Strawberry Puree • Combine the strawberries, sugar, and water in a blender.

Blend until you get a smooth puree. Taste and adjust for sweetness.

Willard House & Clock Museum

Willard House & Clock Museum

A Step Back In Time

its and credits that occurred in a business from day to

ocuments and bills of sale are very important Four of Joseph's grandsons wn as like thethisHassanamisco settlement. esearching objects and piecing together an artists life. amin, Simon, and who Aaron Willard - would become America's rough the daybooksEphraim of other artisans worked e Willards that we century have insightsclockmakers, into their business. making their first clocks in 1766 in minent 19th small Grafton workshop. In 1802, Simon Willard obtained a patent for mproved Timepiece, or "banjo" clock. Today the banjo is considered to ne of the most significant styles of early 19th century American pieces. ded by Dr. Roger and Imogene Robinson in 1969, and opened to the c in 1971, the museum features world's largest collection of Willard s. The collection is displayed in period room settings in the 1718 Joseph rd homestead, the 1766 Benjamin Willard Clock Manufactory and three ern galleries, and also includes: more than 90 Willard clocks; Willard y portraits and furnishings; Colonial, Federal and Empire period ture; antique Oriental rugs; 18th century American and English pewter; rian dolls and doll furniture; military and hunting weapons; Nipmuc on artifacts; and original documents signed by Thomas Jefferson and s Madison.

Roger and Imogene Robinson founded the Willard House & Clock um in 1971, after purchasing the property in 1968. The couple spent 40 years of their lives dedicated to the preservation of this historic home o telling the important story of the Willard family clock makers. Simply without Roger and "Jean", the Willard home would not be here today.

Robinson began collecting Willard clocks in 1955, with a brass-dial n Willard eight-day clock. His clocks formed the basis for the um's collection, now known as the Roger Robinson Clock Collection. ene's vision for the museum was shown through the lovingly curated ays of period furniture, needlework, and Willard family treasures.

Meet the Old Cranks

med that the other Willard brothers were taught horology by Benjamin. he age of eleven, Simon began to study horology, showing some inherent aptitude for it. A year Benjamin hired an Englishman named Morris to teach horology—particularly to Simon. Years ward, Simon revealed that Morris did not actually know much on the matter and that his brother amin had been his actual mentor. After one more year, Simon built his first tall clock. some other contemporary horologists, the Willards divided their lives between farm chores and the business. As the latter became profitable, Benjamin set up a workshop in Lexington achusetts, in 1767. Simon Willard managed his own business in Grafton; some clocks survive ng the maker's mark "Simon Willard, Grafton."

Meet the Old Cranks presumed that the other Willard brothers were taught horology by Benjamin.

At the age of eleven, Simon began to study horology, showing some inherent aptitude for it. A year later, Benjamin hired an Englishman named Morris to teach horology—particularly to Simon. Years afterward, Simon revealed that Morris did not actually know much on the matter and that his brother Benjamin had been his actual mentor. After one more year, Simon built his first tall clock.

Like some other contemporary horologists, the Willards divided their lives between farm chores and the clock business. As the latter became profitable, Benjamin set up a workshop in Lexington Massachusetts, in 1767. Simon Willard managed his own business in Grafton; some clocks survive bearing the maker's mark "Simon Willard, Grafton."

Horology

ng and the regulation parts of those timepieces' parts. The smallest clock of the time was racket clock, which influenced Simon's gallery clock, which he patented in 1802. His creation was the shelf clock, which was based on his gallery clock.In about 1780, Simon rd moved to 2196 Roxbury Street in Boston (later known as Washington Street), and set four-room workshop on his own. Soon thereafter, his brother Aaron settled in the same borhood, a quarter mile away. In 1784, Willard advertised: "Simon Willard opened a in Roxbury Street, nearly facing the road which turns off to Plymouth. There, Simon rd carries on the clockmaking business, in all its branches." Like Aaron, Simon was still ested in perfecting the mechanism of compact clocks. Nonetheless, from the 1790s rd, Willard's workshop also built tall clocks in great numbers while also performing al clock repair.

Horology

driving and the regulation parts of those timepieces' parts. The smallest clock of the time was the bracket clock, which influenced Simon's gallery clock, which he patented in 1802. His next creation was the shelf clock, which was based on his gallery clock.In about 1780, Simon Willard moved to 2196 Roxbury Street in Boston (later known as Washington Street), and set up a four-room workshop on his own. Soon thereafter, his brother Aaron settled in the same neighborhood, a quarter mile away. In 1784, Willard advertised: "Simon Willard opened a shop in Roxbury Street, nearly facing the road which turns off to Plymouth. There, Simon Willard carries on the clockmaking business, in all its branches." Like Aaron, Simon was still interested in perfecting the mechanism of compact clocks. Nonetheless, from the 1790s onward, Willard's workshop also built tall clocks in great numbers while also performing general clock repair.

Tools of the Trade

marks, producing mechanisms with a margin of error of just thirty seconds over the course of a h. By about 1810, both Simon and Aaron were producing clocks which as good as those being uced in Europe. Simon's workshop produced fewer clocks than did Aaron's, and today the higher s that Simon's clocks reach at auction reflect their superior refinement. n Willard invented the Patent Timepiece, later called the "banjo" clock, at Roxbury. It was America's commercially successful wall clock. It was an innovative design. It was the first American eight-day clock, the first American wallclock to have the pendulum suspended in front of the weight in the and the first American wallclock to have the weight attached to a pulley. The brass clock mechanism reduced to a much smaller size, therefore saving brass which was in scarce supply in the early 19th ry. Its shape was an imitation of the traditional wheel barometers. Early Patent Timepieces were by hand, to order. By 1805 the clockworks, and standard cases, could be produced in quantity, cing the cost of the clock. mall size meant a much lower price of 30 dollars, although this was still a large amount of money. etheless, while American consumerism was arising, Simon's Patent Timepiece revolutionized the industry, becoming the most popular clock in the United States, whereas Europe lacked some terpart of it. rd patented its creation quite late (1802) but most competitors of Simon dodged this document, ng much money with their own versions of the Patent Timepiece. However, Simon never filed a nd against such usage. After 1802, in Simon's workshop, the smaller Banjo and shelf clocks were the d and butter models while Simon pursued his other great projects, throughout the United States. tually, Willard's workshop manufactured 4,000 small timepieces (Banjo and shelf clocks).

INSPIRATION

delivered right to your door. historichomesmagazine.com to order your inspiration collection of hhm FROM magazines.

HISTORIC HOMES MAGAZINE

utchogue, NY The Old House

The Old House Cutchogue, NY

KEEPING ROOM

KEEPING ROOM

THE ENGLISH KITCHEN

THE ENGLISH KITCHEN

of this country’s history. In 1767, for example, Thomas Jefferson rded his method of planting lilacs in his Garden Book, and on ch 3, 1785, George Washington noted that he had transplanted ing lilacs in his garden. The oldest living lilacs in North America be those at the Governor Wentworth estate in Portsmouth, N.H., ved to have been planted around 1750.

part of this country’s history. In 1767, for example, Thomas Jefferson recorded his method of planting lilacs in his Garden Book, and on March 3, 1785, George Washington noted that he had transplanted existing lilacs in his garden. The oldest living lilacs in North America may be those at the Governor Wentworth estate in Portsmouth, N.H., believed to have been planted around 1750.

E

to takethat those steps come to protect before them themselves were not against incidental, them. but used to ward off witches.

Similarly, the power Tear-dropped shapedtoburn repelmarks witches found was assigned on the fireplace to the poppets, hearth lintel which were found in the floor of the Old of theHouse Old House next to is one the of kitchen the more doorcommon during apotropaic the 1940 restoration (having thework. These poppets are more commonly power to avert found evilininfluences houses inorEurope bad luck) and symbols are rarelyfound foundin in postAmerica, making the Old House poppets historically medieval vernacularsignificant architecture. and of It great was interest believedto that scholars. these burn marks, created by candle flame or hot poker, prevented witches and other evil spirits/beings from entering the house, creating barriers they could not cross. (The chimney was thought to be a common entry point.)

WHEN OLD HOUSE WAS CUTCHOGUE’S BUILT?

1648 1698

inspired Its design thecombines members of thethe bestCouncil architectural to embark features on a project that would of 17th-century make the interior betterdwellings, reflect 17th-century Visible life. on To theaccomplish this, the exterior formed Council is the the distinctive “Old House chimney Committee. with ”itsGrants clusterfrom The Century of flues Arts Foundation, that give Robert it anLunusual, Gardinerpost-medieval Foundation, and The Gerry appearance.enabled Foundation The the casement committeewindows to start restoration with their and restaging. diamond-shaped The Council reliedwindow on extensive panesresearch or “q uarrels for authenticity ” are to ensure the faithful reprwas interpretation oductions as accurate of asones possible. found It wasin determined the that the era house, be informed and the by primary hand-riven documentation, oak clapboards scholarly are expertise, also and scientific based on original evidence. Inside, the colossal analysis. fireplace In 2008openings a Dendrochronology and smoke study channels showed are the among wood from the house the felled was most in characteristic 1698. In elements 2018, William of its Flynt, early an architectural constructionrepeated conservator, period.this The testing “s ummer on 15beam core” beams, that bia stud, and a brace. sects conclusion The the ceiling was theinsame theas the great 2008 parlor study; is the a trees were felled distinctive in 1698, andfeature the house of was the built era as on well, or after as that are date. the All the academic over-scaled scholars sourced chimney to prescribe girts that appropriate stretchfurnishings acr oss each would use the 1698 fireplace. date based on This thisstructural study. framing, which includes vertical To further posts, ensurediagonal we werebraces using the thatcorrect “fall”date, or “rthere ise” was a search of at each documents primary r o om corner, that would and aeither variety confirm of orsmaller dispute it. The search studs, floonly produced or joists one item, andtherafters 1699 comprise deed of sale a house from Benjamin Horton frame to Joseph that Wickham. survives The virtually deed spells as-built out thesince boundaries the of the land but 17th century. makes no mentionDesignated of a house abeing National on the Historic property. Additionally, an Landmark indig1961, archeological did not The uncover Old any House 17th-century remains anartifacts. Although icon andis still research source , it of was pride decidedforthatSouthold 1698 would Town. be the date used to Today,thetherestaging inform landmark of thedwelling house’s interior. is recognized This originasdate would become one of the part New OldYork House’ State’ s history s oldest. until proved otherwise.

As important Once the era date as itswasarchitectural established, John detailsFiske, are, author its of the book association “when Oak was withnew: the English founding furniture families & Daily of Life,” began purging Cutchogue items that were is noteworthy. not period correct.

It has The be en committee said that decided to forgo the house antique acquisitions was for originally staging because built in of their 1649costinand rarity. Instead, Southold, the House would on thebelot a mixture adjoining of Barnabas authentic reproductions Horton’s , and antiques to by the make the house first anJohn interactive Budd. experience Budd’ for s the daughter, visitor.

Anna,interior The married is now Benjamin furnishedHorton, to reflect and theas lifestyle a of Joseph wedding present, Wickham, who, inBudd 1698,gave was athewealthy house tanner. to theRobert Trent, an newlyweds. expert on first-period It was disassembled, furnishings,board oversaw by board, the restaging. Many and moved towere reproductions Cutchogue handcrafted on what by isPeter now Follansbee, known a nationally as the Village renowned woodworker, gre en using and reconstructed pre-colonial techniques there inand materials and the midst thorough research of to what ensurewas authenticity. then a wilderness.

Unfortunately, The bed textiles conflicting were handwoven scientific

by Rabbit evidence Goody, and a historical textile a lackwho expert of also historic used documentation pre-colonial techniques have put and materials. this The current story inofdispute. staging the bed The is comparable existing text to anofexhibit very old in the Metropolitan spe eches of History Museum by local Americanhistorians wing. reference documentation Electricity was installed that would to enhance supportexhibit this story, space, and but an interactive sign none in front of this of the documentation building permits has disabled be en found. visitors The also to experience the first existing document connected with the old interior. house isclimate Passive a 1699 controldedisplays ed of were sale installed fr om Benjamin to preserve the Poppet dolls Horton during found to Joseph the 1940 Wickham. renovation, There and are Barnabus people Horton’s cane who believe bequeathed by the his family 1649is story on display. to be Thethe poppet actual dolls were an example origin of the story “magicalofthinking the Old ” pervasive Houseat and the continue time and were to meant to keep search outfor witches of thesupporting house. The display documentation includes witchtobottles and an iron substantiate horseshoe; bothit.meant to ward off witches.

Historic Homes Magazine

Historic Homes Magazine

Tenant Farmhouse

Tenant Farmhouse

Spile Spout Spigot

Spile Spout Spigot

nths waned, onialists kept eye on the ple trees for first signs that sap was nning’.

months waned, colonialists kept an eye on the maple trees for the first signs that the sap was ‘running’.

Maple Sugaring

early spring, ending when the buds open, ding maple Sugaring was known in usually America longnote before the landfrom wascuts colonized, as running’.

By sugar. late winter (if the season was mild), they would sap seeping in trees or nd the first week of were April.

The sapinslowly nced oldormyths describe how‘boxed’ sugaring was discovered.

Thewas sapcut wasacross boiledthe down for nd of by twigs.

Atsecond first,that the trees which a large gash side not of the fromdown. or ‘wounds’ tobut the treetheand ascuts it isThe mainly today,was formaple the crystallized sugar that leftfrom when the and water is boiled kyrup, and cut wood removed and sap is would oozeisout theallgash collect in a cted andsettlers poured intotrunk. kettles.

The water proved is gradually . at Early Virginia and throughout New England adapted ways abandoned. for sugaringThe as a the base offrom the This method fatal to thereadily tree and was soon ditute away. some from of theto water you syrup. forLeave caneadapted sugar the West Indies that was costly. sugaringfour begins with warm mon method was cut a and notch in have the trunk of the Maple tree at around or five feet fromdays, the down and youthat have crystallized sugar. et freezing, cold nights trigger the basswood flow of moisture inand the set roots. sap (atool mixture nd.

Into completely, theand notch was placed a semicircular spout cut withThe a special called of a eng-gauge. are many Indian legends maple sugar was afirst and fortyThis partsspout water) is how naturally drawn the tree to themade buds of that fatten andlog. open in would guide the sap through into trough, usually a butternut The One Iroquois Chief Woksis tvered. weeks. hsix was about three feet tale long,tells dug how out, and placed at the end of the spout. Each trough was deep wghhis maple tree gallons in late winter. totomahawk hold aboutinto twoa and a half of sap. The The sap was poured into wooden buckets and day weatherthat turned and over sunny.

When he ed to the the kettles were warm suspended fires. ved the hatchet, sap began to flow from the cut in the There happened to be a broken maple limb, or bowl r the tree that collected the sap. The chief’s squaw laid in the sap and boiled it for dinner. The common ice was to lay hot stones into the carved-out log or that quickly heated the water. As the water in the sap d away, a sweet maple taste was left with the meat. rs recorded seeing Native Americans sucking on tened ice-sickles. On a warm, sunny day in late er, the sap would form at the end of branches. When emperature dipped below freezing that night, the sap d ice up and leave a desired treat at the end of the

ve Americans basically used two methods of ning sugar from the maple tree. The first, I alluded to ying hot field stones in the base of a hollowed log or wooden bowl filled with sap. The stones boiled away water leaving the sugar. nteenth century French missionaries were reported to first used native methods to make maple sugar. In Governor Berkley of Virginia wrote about the maple tree: “The Sugar-Tree yields a kind of sap or juice h by boiling is made into sugar. This juice is drawn by wounding the trunk of the tree, and placing a ver under the wound. It is said that the Indians make pound of sugar out of eight pounds of the liquor. It is t and moist and a full large grain, the sweetness of it like that of good Muscovada.”

Maple Sugaring

and early maple spring, ending when the buds open, including Sugaring was known in usually America longnote before the landfrom wascuts colonized, as was ‘running’.

By sugar. late winter (if the season was mild), they would sap seeping in trees or around first week of were April.

The sapinslowly evidenced oldormyths describe how‘boxed’ sugaring was discovered.

Thewas sapcut wasacross boiledthe down for the end the of by twigs.

Atsecond first,that the trees which a large gash side not of the drips fromdown. or ‘wounds’ tobut the treetheand the syrup, ascuts it isThe mainly today,was formaple the crystallized sugar that leftfrom when the and water is boiled trunk and cut wood removed and sap is would oozeisout theallgash collect in a collected andsettlers poured intotrunk. kettles.

The water proved is gradually away. at Early Virginia and throughout New England adapted ways abandoned. for sugaringThe as a basin the base offrom the This method fatal to thereadily tree and was soon boiled away. some from of theto water you syrup. substitute forLeave caneadapted sugar the West Indies that was costly. sugaringfour begins with warm common method was cut a and notch in have the trunk of the Maple tree at around or five feet fromdays, the Boil down and youthat have crystallized sugar. aboveit freezing, cold nights trigger the basswood flow of moisture inand the set roots. sap (atool mixture ground.

Into completely, theand notch was placed a semicircular spout cut withThe a special called of a There are many Indian legends maple sugar was afirst sugar and fortyThis partsspout water) is how naturally drawn the tree to themade buds of that fatten andlog. open in tapping-gauge. would guide the sap through into trough, usually a butternut The discovered.

One Iroquois Chief Woksis about six weeks. trough was about three feet tale long,tells dug how out, and placed at the end of the spout. Each trough was deep threw his maple tree gallons in late winter. enough totomahawk hold aboutinto twoa and a half of sap. The The sap was poured into wooden buckets and next day weatherthat turned and over sunny.

When he carried to the the kettles were warm suspended fires. removed the hatchet, sap began to flow from the cut in the tree. There happened to be a broken maple limb, or bowl under the tree that collected the sap. The chief’s squaw laid meat in the sap and boiled it for dinner. The common practice was to lay hot stones into the carved-out log or bowl that quickly heated the water. As the water in the sap boiled away, a sweet maple taste was left with the meat.

Settlers recorded seeing Native Americans sucking on sweetened ice-sickles. On a warm, sunny day in late winter, the sap would form at the end of branches. When the temperature dipped below freezing that night, the sap would ice up and leave a desired treat at the end of the twig.

Native Americans basically used two methods of obtaining sugar from the maple tree. The first, I alluded to by laying hot field stones in the base of a hollowed log or large wooden bowl filled with sap. The stones boiled away the water leaving the sugar.

Seventeenth century French missionaries were reported to have first used native methods to make maple sugar. In 1706, Governor Berkley of Virginia wrote about the maple sugar tree: “The Sugar-Tree yields a kind of sap or juice which by boiling is made into sugar. This juice is drawn out, by wounding the trunk of the tree, and placing a receiver under the wound. It is said that the Indians make one pound of sugar out of eight pounds of the liquor. It is bright and moist and a full large grain, the sweetness of it being like that of good Muscovada.”

ed, spouts driven in and troughs placed below. A large, level area was selected, about twenty to y feet square, and the snow would be shoveled away. Strong, forked sticks were driven into the nd about twelve feet apart. Sometimes the ground was chosen in which strong, low spreading trees d be trimmed and used as forks. Heavy green sticks were placed from fork to fork and large boiling es, as many as six, were hung on the sticks. Dry wood was gathered, many times the wood was ed the summer before, and constantly feed into the fires below the kettles. During a ‘good run of it was often necessary to remain at the camp overnight. Many camps had, over time, constructed huts including fireplaces. Many men enjoyed the camaraderie of a ‘moon-lit night at camp’, ging themselves with good ‘spirits’, and good talk, especially those with tales of past wars or ng with the Native Americans. n the end of the year’s sugar harvest was near, sleds or carriages full of family members would to camp to celebrate with dance and music. Sugar ‘candy’ would be tasted and a kettle of ‘syrup’ had not been fully crystallized would be poured on snow. All would delight in indulging on ‘sugar now’. The sugar left in the kettles after the water is boiled off would be a solid block of granular e sugar that had a long shelf-life and could easily be transported.

Sugarloaf

Bates Scofield Homestead

Resources irca, 1736 www.wdsmuseum.org

Tasha's Artisan Foods

www.tashasartisanfoods.com/blog/

WILLARD HOUSE & CLOCK MUSEUM www.willardhouse.org

he Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council

www.cutchoguenewsuffolkhistory.org

Coggeshall Farm Museum coggeshallfarm.org

d Sturbridge Village Museum www.osv.org

Museum of Darian museumofdarien.org

istory of Maple Syrup & aring in Colonial America Harry Schenawolf

Bates Scofield Homestead circa, 1736 Resources www.wdsmuseum.org

Tasha's Artisan Foods

www.tashasartisanfoods.com/blog/

WILLARD HOUSE & CLOCK MUSEUM www.willardhouse.org

The Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council www.cutchoguenewsuffolkhistory.org

Coggeshall Farm Museum coggeshallfarm.org

Old Sturbridge Village Museum www.osv.org

Museum of Darian museumofdarien.org

History of Maple Syrup & Sugaring in Colonial America Harry Schenawolf

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Stepdetails Back in Time nant Farmhouse