Broomsquire To Demonstrate  At Museum Open House

One of the simplest household items used by the colonial housewife to complete her domestic chores was the broom. Often a crude bundling of twigs attached to a straight branch, or more functionally, cut and banded broom corn fastened to a smooth stick handle, brooms in varying shapes and sizes have been part of daily life for centuries. A town’s broomsquire was a well-patronized, vital tradesman.

At the historic Matthew Curtiss House-Museum, 44 Main Street, Newtown, on Sunday, April 22, from 1 to 4 pm, broomsquire Robert Aborn will produce various broom products that would have been used in pre-1800 settlements. Mr Aborn, appearing in costume, has extensive experience demonstrating his craft across New England at fairs and colonial events.

Mr Aborn became interested in broommaking after observing a demonstration as a teenager in the 1950s. Subsequently he planted a 50 foot row of broom corn, crafting six brooms from the resulting crop. After a great deal of research and honing of his skills, his hobby became a small business. Today, he fashions brooms from corn, peeled yellow birch, and witch hazel, among other materials. At the Curtiss House he will show work in progress, offer finished examples which will be for sale, and answer questions.

Brooms Mr Aborn will be making include the birch broom, a large, flat floor broom of witch hazel and hickory, also called an “Indian” or peel and splinter broom, used by our earliest settlers starting in the 17th Century; the birch scrubber, quite common through the latter part of the 18th Century, fashioned of birch and witch hazel but sometimes also of hickory; and the very old “Beesome of Byrch,” using the inner bark of the hickory tree to bind branches of yellow and black birch and finished with a sharpened birch handle driven into the bundle.

Costumed guides will be on hand to escort guests through the Matthew Curtiss House, sharing stories of Newtown and information about rural life in the 18th Century. This event is open to the public free of charge. Families with children are particularly encouraged to attend.

Call the Newtown Historical Society at 203-426-5937 for more information.