on an early autumn day caught my eye and
enlivened my sensibilities.
One sample view of a fun
and delightfully educational visit.
Before that report, some mission news.
* * * * *
Eleven new arrivals as re-assignments to the NHMM
were scheduled for Tuesday landing, but the strong windy
conditions near Salt Lake City where many were traveling from
were scheduled for Tuesday landing, but the strong windy
conditions near Salt Lake City where many were traveling from
caused delayed flight departures and missed connections.
So what may be our final "mini transfer" of any size for
the foreseeable future was moved to Wednesday.
Elder D. Walker was among those coming south to pick up
a companion. Before departing, he delivered a gift - this plaid
tie, unlike any Elder Warner has in his collection here.
I asked him to model it so Elder Walker could see.
Can't help but share the cheery smiles of these five young
Elders we get to work with in the Mission Office:
Elders we get to work with in the Mission Office:
Elders Wells, Allison, Edstrom, M. Smith and T. Smith.
They grin because it is lunch time and Elder Wells' mom
arranged for a food delivery from favorite local purveyor
Mr. Mac's (macaroni and cheese specialties, including Lobsta!).
We had to laugh at a project of Elders T. Smith and
Allison to get dramatic in the form of a horror film marquee poster,
Allison to get dramatic in the form of a horror film marquee poster,
making commentary on the dreaded TIWI driver
feedback devices that Elder Warner has to install in all
mission vehicles to help the young missionary drivers
operate safely.
(There were a couple dozen on hand recently.)
Business in new Massachusetts areas were an answer to
my prayers to be able to visit Old Sturbridge which formerly
would have been off limits (out of mission) while stationed here.
Below is a "historic" pamphlet map of the village layout.
One online description: Old Sturbridge Village is a living museum
. . . which recreates life in rural New England during the 1790s through
1830s . . . covering more than 200 acres.
Here, a professional aerial view that, of course,
captures the charm of this New England rural town
much better than graphics can.
First, the town common, and . . .
. . . next the Freeman Farm area on the more southern end.
I admit that I am a sucker for historical venues like this one,
particularly the textiles and every day objects that help me
understand the lives of women, men and children from
eras we often consider "kinder and gentler" times.
Easy to get caught in a time warp where, in words of
poet John Bernard O'Hara "Here come not feet of change."
On the surface it appears to be a time to be envied.
Yet, when we learn how much work was required for
mere survival, I remind myself that these historic times were
"almost nearly perfect". So I'll skip the time machine for now.
Our visit happened in 2020, so of course, things
were a little bit different right from the first step!
For our own great memories, I will include a couple dozen
photos here, including the first building encountered past
the visitors' center and ticket booth, known as the "small house".
The long pole well hand pump was an early delight to see . . .
. . . and inside, a basket maker demonstrating, near
a hinged "wall bed" that allowed this small household
to maximize space with double-purpose functionality.
Not far up the lane is this town "pound" where stray animals
and those allowed "open grazing" could be corralled until
claimed and taken home by owners,
another kind of New England stone wall.
Here is the small school house. The wagon ride guide explained
to her passengers as we walked nearby that with the agri year
school children would attend only in winter and summer,
fit in around the busy planting and harvest seasons.
Many of the buildings on this location were transplanted
to this site to provide this "living" learning experience for visitors.
Further along, across from the pottery shop, is this wonderful
brick kiln. The shop was full of greenware cups, plates,
bowls and other vessels. Firing of the kiln is a 48 hour process
scheduled for only twice a year, involving an amount of firewood
equaling what might heat a small home for a year.
Forged metal bands provide stability as the kiln heats
to thousands of degrees.
Around the bend we reached the Freeman Farm area,
with these lovely pastoral vistas, including . . .
. . . another "favorite" red gambrel barn view.
In a more rustic barn . .
. . .fittings for farm beasts of labor
were on display.
This glimpse into the Freeman Farm kitchen was
instructive for more than former-time cooking conditions.
It was uncomfortably warm, even in September,
and the flies were buzzing strenuously.
Even the barnyard chickens were wandering in and out.
At the Bixby house, an interpreter was braiding straw
into bands that would be sold to a local merchant.
As middle man, he would sell or trade the produce from
several communities to hat makers in other locales,
who had more expensive equipment and tools to create
and market the iconic straw hats like one at the end of her bench.
She explained that the young women of this household were
very productive at this money-making craft, using raw materials
free and plentiful in every rural setting, and with minimal tool costs.
(I am intrigued at the idea of the teenagers contributing this way.)
We visited the nearby blacksmith shop where
we saw the re-created forged band for the kiln
being formed to replace a damaged band ahead
of the late-September firing there.
Near the mill pond were three different processing
operations. Here is the grist mill, for processing grain
and meal, with its picturesque water wheel.
This interior shows equipment at the saw mill.
(Information poster explains "every building starts
at the saw mill.")
An iconic covered bridge has been installed across an inlet
to the mill pond. Vince is enjoying a quiet moment.
I don't ever tire of looking at these structures from
all angles.
One remarkable learning experience came while
talking with the very knowledgeable print office
interpreter, who explained about cooperative business
ventures where printing nearer prospective buyers,
like universities and schools, helped spread valuable
income across New England.
Our guide talked about the labor-intensive process of
setting the lines of type and other elements for newspapers,
circulars and books, which apprentices learned to do like
their journeymen boss almost without looking.
Capital letters from the UPPER part of the case,
and non-capitals from the LOWER
(upper case, lower case - makes sense!)
Each type style had its own rack - makes me appreciate
all my favorite 50 type faces in my word processor.
Surprisingly, the wood working and furniture making
presentations have been downgraded in past decades
so that only a museum-type display explains this important
trade. An inspiring Windsor chair and other period pieces
were a pleasure to see in the Cabinet Making house.
(Can't wait to see my newly-completed chairs made
by our resident furniture maker Cory.)
A new building in the older style is under construction
near the town common to be open in 2021.
As we ambled toward the exit, I was pleased to capture
this very eighteenth-century activity in my viewfinder:
hat-topped farm hands raking hay at the Salem Towne Barn,
with ripe apples ready to pick in the adjacent orchard.
A lovely day re-discovering how former times and
forms of labor filled and blessed or encumbered daily life.
There were many more buildings visited and tidbits gleaned.
Glad to learn and increase our appreciation.
Happy to return to conveniences we depend upon.
What would those predecessors think about fast food
meals, eco-boost automobiles, and high-speed WIFI.
not to mention COVID-19 restrictions and masks!
I'm counting my blessings as I relish understanding
of what went before. Full of praise for those who
worked to improve processes and develop better products.
But also praying that craftsmen and historians,
planners and citizens see the value of preservation
going forward - so we can all be enriched.
Enjoy a blessed week. Be safe. Be well!
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