History

One reason you will want to visit our shop, is the unique setting. We are located in an antique mill building dating from 1760, overlooking the mill pond and waterfall of the Squanacook River.

The building is actually cantilevered over the waterfall, which is a breathtaking view. (and quite thrilling during the Spring runoff! Don't worry though, the building is built on bedrock and even withstood the hurricane of 1938. They sure knew how the build back then!)

The building is owned by the Townsend Historical Society and The Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. (thank goodness: it will never be a fast food joint!)

It has been The Cooperage for over 250 years! Townsend was once a thriving hub of barrel making, back in the days before cardboard and plastic. Everything was stored and shipped in wooden barrels.

There are many implements of this long ago craft, still on view throughout the shop. We have large saws on display as well as part of the original plumbing: a 17 foot hollowed out log with a hand pump on one end. This went out one of the windows, down to the river, to pump water up into the work area!

Another fascinating feature, unique to this building and never seen elsewhere, is the massive, ROUND brick fireplace in the center of the shop. This was used by the barrel-makers in an efficient way of assembling their wares. (the first assembly line?)

This technique was BEFORE metal hoops! They had to steam wood around the barrels as the hoops to hold the staves together. Many bunches of split alders, used during barrel making days, still hang from the massive wooden beams.

So, you can get a good sense of how this almost forgotten trade was accomplished. And, we should mention the floorboards: all chestnut and some about two feet wide!! (this is a good guy thing: while shopping, the men folk have some interesting things to look at!)

A walk around the shop is a step back in time. You can forget the pace and stress with the soothing sound of the waterfall. That alon