Mystic Seaport Village

Barrel Making

Day 31: Wednesday, September 12, 2001

Remember these people? They're going to show us how barrels are assembled. First they remove the top rings. Those off, the staves scatter. The trick to barrel making is the size and shape of the staves, and a pair of matching ends (top & bottom). They must fit together with precision, and when all are assembled, they must fit into a perfect circle the same size as the ends.

Simple When You Know How With a recruit from the audience, they assembled the barrel in short order. It's a matter of having someone help hold the staves in the groove on the bottom while they are stood on end, fitted together and the rings wedged into place to make them stay together. The last things to do is fit the staying rings and place the lid.