On Saturday, September 24 at 2:00, visitors to the 8th Annual Homesteads Apple Festival will have the opportunity to bid on several items made by crafters and artisans and donated to raise money to support the operation ofthe Homesteads Tower Museum and House Museum in Crossville,TN. As usual, there will be a beautiful hand pieced quilt up for auction. This year’s quilt top was pieced by Florence Stinson of Sheffield, Al.  Florence has pieced many quilts in the last twenty or so years, many of which are prized possessions of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  She has also donated quilts for fund-raising activities of several other non-profit organizations as well.

Also to be auctioned are a child’s glider and a log cabin doll house made by Troy Hammons.  Troy came to the Homesteads with his family at the age of 16 and, following graduation from high school at age 17, he began working on the Homesteads project.  Troy spent much of his time working in the sand quarry and sawmill.  He also helped build the homes and barns on the Homesteads farms, including the one his family first lived in and which Troy and his wife then farmed.  They raised three daughters there. Troy is still farming at the age of 94 years and also keeping himself busy with woodworking items.  He sells these for little more than the price of the materials in them so that he can keep the process going.  He is pleased to donate this child's glider and dollhouse to the CHTA to auction at the Apple Festival this year and hopes that the children who receive them will enjoy them and fondly remember the Cumberland Homesteads and the "old man" who made them. 

Apple Festival craftsman and demonstrator, Steve Spellman from Knoxville, has donated a hand-forged hunting knife,   7” long with a 3” exposed blade, antler handle, and custom handmade leather sheath with built-in metal clip and heavy duty snap closure.  Steve will be at the Apple Festival demonstrating knife making.  He and his wife enjoy staying at the Cumberland Mountain State Park while in Crossville and Steve says “doing the Apple Fest” is his favorite show.

Don’t miss your opportunity to bid on these fine hand-crafted items!