Skip to Main Content

Brooms in the Appalachian Artifacts Collection

Selected brooms and broom-making-related artifacts as documented by Student Curators in 2015

Contributors

This guide is based on the broom documentation project of summer 2015. Student Curatorial Associate Justin "Dean" Burton '15 examined and described the brooms. Student Curatorial Associate Shadia Prater photographed the brooms, edited the images, and did much of the technical work to produce this guide. Christopher Miller was the supervising curator.

LJAC Artifact Guides

The Appalachian Artifacts Teaching Collection is held by the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center at Berea College. For additional information or to access the collection contact Curator Christopher Miller.  Explore more of our virtual exhibits and collections using the links below.

Appalachian Center Curator

Profile Photo
Christopher Miller
Contact:
Berea College CPO 2196
Berea, KY 40404-2196
859-985-3373
Website

Brooms in the Appalachian Artifacts Collection

The broom is an ancient implement known to most times and places. It is a basic, universal tool, much like a hammer or knife. Across history and geography they are found varying in materials according to what is/was available to the maker, and in size and space according to the purpose.  

There is little distinctively Appalachian about the broom, except perhaps some of the materials used in handles, some specific combinations of materials, and the persistence of hand broom making as a part of the region's healthy handicraft culture. 

These brooms are those that have come into our collections through systematic, but non-comprehensive collecting. They are a sampler, if you will, of those made in the region.

Broom Gallery

1969.1.533

1969.1.533

1995.22.2

1969.1.540

1969.1.584

2004.28.1