This month’s featured recent acquisition is the child’s rocker shown below. While the seat has been replaced, the chair dates from about 1900 and was manufactured by L.J. Colony of Keene, NH. At that time Keene was known as the “porch chair center of the United States,” with an output of approximately one million rockers per year. The caning on these chairs was typically done by women and children in their own homes, with over one hundred families involved. By 1900, the Colony family had long been prominent in Keene. In 1815, Josiah Colony and Francis Faulkner purchased the sawmill and gristmill on the Ashuelot River that Colony had been managing. Their company evolved as textile machinery was developed during the Industrial Revolution. It remained in business until 1954, and when it closed, was the oldest woolen mill owned by the same family in the same location. Their red flannel was made into shirts for the “Forty-niners” going to the California gold rush and their blue flannel was used for shirts for the Navy. Later they supplied the Union Army during the Civil War and the U.S. Army during both World Wars. The mill building still exists as the Colony Mill Market Place.
If you were wondering about Cecil, we’re hoping he’ll be back to work in about a month. He’s recovering the use of his fingers and is expected to make a full recovery, though he may require another surgery.
As you would expect, we’ll be closed on the 4th to celebrate Independence Day. Purcellville’s parade begins at 12:30 on Main Street. There’s a free celebration at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Purcellville; see https://stpetes.net for details. Bluemont’s Dirt Farm Brewing is having a special event and from their elevation, a number of fireworks displays should be visible; however, they require everyone to arrive by 7:00. For those who procrastinate, Franklin Park always has a good fireworks display. Hope you have a great holiday!
Lynne & Bob McCann