A cooper is someone trained to make and repair wooden objects historically used to store dry and/or wet goods. These objects are made of carved wooden staves held together by wooden or metal hoops.
The Rome Historical Society will host The Cooper’s Trade, a virtual program set for Wednesday, February 17th. Bob Allers will discuss the techniques and tools he uses to construct buckets, pails, casks, tubs, and other hand-made wooden containers.
Bob Allers is a retired Earth Science Teacher who received his BA in Geology from Hamilton College, his MAT in Geological Sciences from Binghamton University, and taught for a total of 34 years at VVS and New Hartford Central Schools.
For 12 summers he worked as a seasonal NPS Park Ranger at Fort Stanwix National Monument where he began learning the trade of coopering. His education in the craft continued through training with the Master Cooper at Genesee Country Village and Museum.
For the past 20 years Bob Allers has been honing his skills and presenting demonstrations at many regional historic sites as well as teaching bucket and cask-making classes at Hanford Mills Museum.
This program will begin at 5:30 pm, and be held via Facebook Live.
For more information, call (315) 336-5870, or visit the Rome Historical Society website.
Photo of cooperage provided.
About sixteen years ago at a garage sale in Mount Vision, Otsego County, I purchased a very old cask which served as a plant stand on my porch until it fell apart about a year ago. However, I’ve saved all the pieces in hopes of finding a deserving home for them with a craftsman Bob, perhaps you are that cooper or know of someone who would be interested in the pieces. Thank you for planning this virtual event. I will try to attend. Edie