Broomcraft: Home

Origin and Early History

The Berea College Broom making Department began operation July 6, 1920, however the idea began around 1911. College President William G. Frost initiated the establishment of the broom enterprise because there was not enough campus work for male students during the winter months at the time, and broom making promised work for men year-round. During the latter half of his presidency, Frost believed that Berea should provide every student with the opportunity to work to pay for her or his education. The Broom Department was one of several enterprises created to address this goal. Frost retired during June 1920, so the program opened under his successor, William J. Hutchins. Reports indicate that, as hoped, broom making did became a stabilizing industry of the college labor program by providing work for men outside of the agricultural season.

The first Broom Department supervisor was Joel R. Arnold. Originally located on the upper floors in the Trades Building, now the north side of Stephenson Hall. By 1924 the Berea Broom industry was producing 8,700 brooms a year. A campus siding behind the building allowed railroad access, providing the broom enterprise a national reach. At its peak, Broom Craft produced over 150,000 brooms/year and employed 200 workers. Most were Berea students, the rest were community members. These brooms were primarily practical floor brooms without decorative elements, primarily sold in bulk to distributors.

Becoming Broomcraft

During the 1930s, the broom department shifted from making primarily floor brooms to including hearth and decorative brooms. In July of 1939, the Broom Making Department was renamed Broom Craft and in August of that year, a new, dedicated Broom Craft building was completed on the north edge of campus. At one time, a money-losing operation, in the 1940s, under the direction of Stephan Luther Brown, Broom Craft became profitable and remained so for the majority of its history. In 1942, the number of students working fell from 80 to 50 due to World War II. Even with fewer students, they kept up with demand. However, in October of 1943, due to shortages, Broom Craft closed for the remainder of the war.

Post-World-War-II

Broom Craft reopened in August of 1946 under the leadership of Robert E. Lee Bottom. Bottom grew up near Kentucky's Pleasant Hill Shaker community and claimed to have learned broom making from Shakers.

The Reed Family Years

In 1958, after working at Broom Craft since 1939, Johnny A. Reed became the supervisor of Broom Craft. Johnny was known for high expectations in quantity and quality. The Reeds have worked for Broom Craft throughout its history. In the 70’s, Johnny’s sons, Robert and Lonnie Reed, also worked in Broom Craft. When Johnny retired in 1979, his wife Emma K. Reed became the supervisor.

For many years Broom Craft was unusual in the Berea's Student Labor system, operating on a piecework pay system. This ended in the 80s.

In 1997, the Broom Craft Building, now the Berea College Farm Store, closed and the Broom Craft operation moved temporarily to the Bruce Building while the Mueller Woodcraft Building was remodeled. In 1999 it moved into it’s current location in the Muller Student Craft building. Emma Reed was Supervisor of Broom Craft until 1999 when her son Lonnie Reed succeeded her.

Early 2000s

In 2010 Chris Robbins became the supervisor of Broom Craft. Robbins is from Rockcastle County, Kentucky and learned broom making at the age of 14.

Current Director

Amanda Lee Lazorchack returns to Appalachia from the Midwest to Direct the Broom Studio. She brings with her a diverse background of teaching and a deep enthusiasm for craft. In 2023 she was awarded 1st place at the National Craft Broom Competition in Arcola, IL. Her work focuses on the intersection of the common tool and the sculptural object, using brooms to encourage a reflection on the division of labor and the literacy of domesticity. Her goal is to offer her students a language to express themselves through craft and dignified labor alongside a high engagement educational experience.

Broomcorn and Color

The sweep of a Berea broom is made from a variety of Sorghum called Broom Corn (S. vulgare var. technicum)

Berea College operates a working farm, and records indicate there have been historical attempts to grow broomcorn here. In 2023, Director of Fellowships and part time Broom Craft employee Hunter Elliott led an initiative to grow a small plot of Broomcorn as an educational tool for Broom Craft and Horticultural Agriculture Students.

Historically, Broom Craft bought broomcorn grown domestically the Midwest. The majority of Broomcorn used today is sourced from farms throughout Mexico.

Each Berea broom is still handmade, using the hand-dyed broomcorn Berea has become known for. The brooms for sale through Student Craft today are collaboratively designed by the student broom makers & the director, reflecting both the student experience & the Great Commitments of Berea. This model is the same throughout the program – in Weaving, Woodcraft, and Ceramics, Student Craft’s stated mission is to showcase student creativity and amplify student voices.

Berea's colorful brooms are shipped all over the world.

Department Directors

• 1920 - 1929: Joel R. Arnold
• 1930 - 1943: Stephen L. Brown
• 1943 - 1946: Broomcraft closed during World War II
• 1946 - 1958: Robert E. Lee Bottom
• 1958 - 1979: Johnny A. Reed
• 1979 - 1999: Emma K. Reed
• 1999 - 2010: Lonnie Reed
• 2010 - 2023: Christopher L. Robbins
• 2024 - present: Amanda Lee Lazorchack