| Lost Art Survives -- Family Weaves Across Time |
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Commemorating the park's 75th Anniversary, Hope
Reagan has woven a limited number of placemats that
will make a very special table setting.
These beauties were woven by Hope on a loom built by
her grandfather. Hope's mother and grandmother both
wove for the Arrowcraft Shop in Gatlinburg.
The pattern, Whig Rose, is one of the most difficult to
weave. These placemats are available in very limited
numbers in red, blue, and naturals.
A small number of matching table runners are featured
below.
For a fascinating look at Hope at work actually weaving
the limited edition items, click here and watch a beautiful
short film.
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| A Twirled Broom The Way Grandfather Taught Me |
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Available for only a very limited time, this twirled broom
and hiking staff are made by David Ogle of the Arts and
Crafts Community near Gatlinburg.
David's family has been making brooms, staffs, and other
hand carved wooden crafts for three generations.
The broom is approximately 52" tall, made from solid
walnut with hand stitched broomcorn. It's fully
functional and extremely durable.
The traditional Smoky Mountain hiking stick is also
made of solid walnut. It's about 56" tall and plenty
stout enough to be an indispensable companion on
steep, rocky trails and slippery stream crossings.
Both items proudly bear the official 75th anniversary
stamped metal medallion.
Click here to see a short video of
David making a broom for us!
Click here to see more details about the brooms.
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| Going, going, gone... |
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To match the placemats shown above, Hope Reagan
has created a very limited number of amazing 50" table
runners.
Woven in the extremely difficult Whig Rose pattern.
Available in red, blue, and natural -- in very limited
supply.
These are true Smoky Mountain treasures.
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Through the Generations -- An Heirloom Rocker |
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One of the Great Smoky Mountains' most remarkable
residents was Aden Carver, born at Smokemont in 1844.
Carver lived to be 101 years old. He was a farmer,
craftsman, millwright, and deacon of the Oconaluftee
Baptist Church.
He lived through 5 American Wars. During the Civil
War he served in the Confederate Homeguard. He was
rejected when he tried to enlist for World War I (at age
76). At the age of 90, however, he was allowed to join
the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
At 92 he helped restore Mingus Mill, which he'd
helped
build in 1885-86. The secret to a long life? "Staying
on
my feet and working hard," said Carver.
Here's a photo of Aden Carver, 1844-1945, with the
rocking chair he built.
A rocker made by Aden is in the park's historical artifact
collection. In honor of the Park's 75th, Randy Ogle has
reproduced Aden's fine chair.
Randy's family has been making chairs for three
generations. Each rocker is made from solid maple with
a hand-woven seat and is signed by Mr. Ogle.
To learn more about the chair, click here.
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