My family and I went to visit Old Bethpage Village. It's a New York version of Colonial Williamsburg. For those of you who don't know what that is it is the Reconstructed Colonial capital of Virginia.
Old Bethpage Village is a wonderful quite place here in Long Island with historic villages and several craftsmen and women working like they did long ago. We went to watch the sheep sheering.
Yes she did them all by hand and we learned that small farms that just have a few sheep still use those same hand sheers.
We also watch some them process the wool and do some weaving.
We also checked out the blacksmith barrel/ bucket maker and the broom maker.
Now looking at all this you might wonder why I am saying what a waste. After walking all around and talking to the people who work there you come to the realization that this place could offer so much more. But they aren't getting enough money and refuse to use anything but volunteers to work the crafts.
With some good funding and some extra craftsmen there is no reason this lovely place couldn't be self sufficient and as well done as Williamsburg. They have plenty of places to add gardens which they could sell along with the crafts at a weekend farmers market. And since farms and gardens back then didn't use pesticides they would be able to sell them as organic.
In a few years this place may be lost for lack of good management. Forgotten as its beautiful open spaces is filled up with more McMansions and strip malls that no one really needs.
13 comments:
it looks like a very interesting place...kind of like time traveling...
http://sherdenise.wordpress.com/
I was wondering why it was titled "what a waste" at first. Now I now. That place looks really cool. I love stuff like that. Hopefully they can stay open so people can enjoy it.
Stopping by from the comment challenge.
oops meant now I "know" - lol
Have you been to Williamsburg lately? We have our family reunion there every year and well, it is a ZOO of a tourist trap! I don't know if that place is a waste or just hanging on to an ideal that doesn't exist anymore. But I am sure that mking it into Williamsburg is sure not the answer. You can barely move down the pebbled ways from all the folks.....
Looks interesting. I have been to Colonial Williamsburg. Great Place! Stopping by from Harriets Comment Challenge!
Interesting observation.
I hope it stays open too Sue It is a lovely place.
Hi Adiaha we haven't been to Williamsburg lately but we are planning to go this summer. And yes it is a tourist trap but they have the money it takes to stay open. where as Old Bethpage Village keeps losing more funding. Which all places like this require to stay open.
Hi Lola I hope you had a good weekend too.
Thanks Stacie :D
Hi Over The Top Apron thanks for stopping by
That is really a shame. Maybe you should take over and manage it! :)
I wish Angela. I would love to have a place like that. I'm into organic gardening and my hubby is a history buff. I think we could make a pretty good run of it. :D
Post a Comment