A master thatcher from England is in Maine to make roofs like they used to – circa 1625 in Colonial Pemaquid, now a state historic site.

Colin McGhee is topping off two replica buildings, a tavern and a blacksmith shop, that will be used to educate visitors to the former British settlement in New Harbor.

Hundreds of people have stopped by to watch the live thatching as McGhee uses a flat-metal hand tool, steel wires and rods to secure tight bundles of reeds imported from Turkey to the wooden roof skeleton.

When completed, the buildings will be ‘one more way … to educate the public about Maine and U.S. history,’ said Barry Masterson, who manages the site.

– Staff Writer Karen Antonacci


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