Past Projects

Related Web sites
Smithsonian Institution's 1999 Folklife Festival
Festival New Hampshire

Each year, the Smithsonian Institution selects a state to celebrate its cultural traditions for its Folklife Festival. This year, it's New Hampshire's turn, and the Guild will be there in force to demonstrate timber framing techniques to the expected 1.5 million visitors. The Guild and Benson Woodworking of Alstead Center, NH, are both contributing partners. As a New Hampshire resident, Executive Director Joel McCarty will be one of approximately 140 residents who will make up the core of the New Hampshire program.

There will be five basic themes of this year's celebrations:

• Music
• Home, Town and Community
• Ingenuity and Enterprise
• Seasons of Work and Recreation
• Farm, Forest, Mountain and Sea

The Guild is representative of the fifth theme, which focuses on the occupations that make use of New Hampshire's abundant natural resources. In addition to timber framing demonstrations, there will also be representatives of forestry management,

The Guild will cut and raise a small timber frame structure as part of the festivities.

sawmilling, and historic renovation of New Hampshire's treasured covered bridges and architecture, plus granite quarrying, monument carving and stone wall building, boat building and commercial fishing. The diversity of family-run farms -- from dairy to maple to fruit orchards and the work and social aspets of draft animals -- will be featured as well.

There is no admission charge for Festival events. The Festival is held outdoors on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between 7th and 14th Streets, near the Smithsonian museums.

Special Events

Events will be scheduled throughout the day, and each evening from 5:30 pm - 9 pm visitors are invited to join events such as dance parties featuring traditional music, concerts, and other special community celebrations. Food services will be open during the evening activities.

Sunday, June 27, will feature an Old Home Day, celebrating a long tradition of music, food, and competitive games. On Saturday, July 3, will be a Franco-American Day, focusing on the social aspects of French culture that have so influenced New Hampshire's culture and traditions for more than 150 years. On Independence Day, New Hampshire will hold a Dance Party. Everyone is invited!

For more information, contact Joel McCarty (joel@tfguild.org), or visit the Smithsonian's Festival Web site at www.si.edu/folklife/fest99/announce.htm.
Photos