I flew to New York, where I was told I would spend some days touring some fantastic sites.   One of those was the Genesee Country Village, which recreates life as it was in nineteenth century Western New York.  Although the village didn't exist at the time, the buildings did.  These buildings were saved from neglect and "progress" and moved to this location.  In addition to the buildings, the village also gives life to the professionals and craftspeople of tehtime with docents recreating the work of potters, quilters, farmers, and more.

I’m in the Trustees Building of the Shaker village of Sonyea. The United Society of Believers, whose members are commonly referred to as Shakers, is a religious community known for its inventiveness, hard work, and equality. Following the teaching "hands to work, hearts to God," Shakers were renowned for the simple efficient lines of their architecture and the quality of their goods. There is currently only one Shaker settlement left. It is located in Maine. The Shaker interpreter here is picking the petals off of a calendula which she will then use to make a salve. I had a nice talk with her and she told me that she had a pet rat as a child. It just goes to show that rat lovers are everywhere-even in nineteenth century buildings!

Look what I made! The tinsmith let me make this ornament. I pierced the tin with a hammer and nail creating this decorative pattern. Generally the peddler would sell the goods of the tinsmith.