Traditional Appalachian Broommaking

Learn this traditional technique to create a sturdy and attractive hand broom in either the turkey wing or pot scrubber style. These brooms are made with natural broomcorn, a type of sorghum grass known for its durability and flexibility, with your choice of thread color. You will leave with a beautiful and unique broom and a deep appreciation for the traditional craft of broom making. The process requires some hand strength, and we create tension with our feet on a pole wound with thread, so be prepared to remove your shoes and socks.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Clare Walker previously worked as a naturalist for State Parks and then as an environmental outreach specialist for Maryland DNR. She now teaches plant and pollinator identification as well as classes on natural basketry and more around Maryland including for Nature Forward, the US Botanical Gardens and Irvine Nature Center.  She delights in native plants and especially their relationships to wildlife and people. Her classes encourage everyone to cherish our local plants whether through basketry using natural materials, making herbal remedies, enjoying foods from foraged plants or by gardening with natives.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made 14 or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.