Last weekend was the annual Crank Up at the Ole Gilliam Mill, in Sanford, NC.
I thought I would share some of what I experienced at this year’s event so that you could mark your calendar for next year. The Crank Up at the Ole Gilliam Mill is held the weekend after Mother’s Day every year.
What you missed at the Crank Up at the Ole Gilliam Mill
There is a sign up every year at the Old Gilliam Mill Park and Social Sanford also listed this event on their page. For just five dollars for people over 12 years of age, this is well worth the money.
This picture was taken inside the Dog Trot Cabin. This type of cabin was common in the Southeastern United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. Also known as a breezeway house, a breezeway through the center of the cabin helped with cooling.
Above is a sample of products that were woven by folks who are dedicated to helping others at the Common Thread in Sanford, NC. The place mats shown were weaved using plastic bags and proceeds from their sale will be used to help several non-profit organizations in the area. The Common Thread features 14 looms and instructors that teach how to create functional art.
The Freeman Cabin was fantastic, inside and out.
One of the events of the day was a Saw Mill demonstration. Make this a must-see on your itinerary for the day.
Seeing logs cut into lumber gives you a new appreciation for this part of history. The saw is just one of many engines and machines that are too numerous to show and mention here.
1870 Steam Engine
Wood Splitter
Shingle Splitter
Bessemer Engine
There is so much to see at the Ole Mill Crank up that I couldn’t get everything in this post. To see what you missed this year, you will want to pay a visit to the event next year. Don’t forget, mark you calendar for the weekend after Mother’s Day.
By the way, this year local wood-carver Ron Dowdy was carving at the event.
He said that he and his wife carve wood together, and before he finishes with one witch, he already knows how the next one should look. Can’t wait to see what he carves next.
See you at the Crank Up at the Ole Gilliam Mill next year! Learn more about the Crank Up here.