“Preserving the art of the past for generations of the future” is the motto of the talented group of artisans who showcase their expertise at the Village of Yesteryear, a popular N.C. State Fair attraction. Founded in 1951, the Village is set up annually in the Holshouser Building, providing a spot where fairgoers can appreciate and purchase handmade crafts made by more than 75 local artisans.
These artisans set up shop in the Village to offer visitors an educational, up-close look at their creative process, keeping alive the timeless crafting methods of past generations. These demonstrations feature spinning wool into yarn, weaving yarn into cloth, making rugs and split-oak baskets, carving wooden bowls and utensils, turning pottery and more. Native American crafts such as hand-coiled pottery, beadwork and stone carving are also featured in the Village.
Some of these artists have been loyal participants in the Village for an impressive amount of time, and their creations never fail to wow the public. To celebrate this exhibit’s legacy at the N.C. State Fair, dedicated Village members with 35 years of experience share insight into their time working at the Village of Yesteryear.
Raleigh’s Dan Dye is a silversmith with 53 years of experience. His specialties include making sterling silver jewelry and Christmas ornaments from solid sterling wire and sheets. All of Dan’s work is hand-fabricated from components that he shapes, cuts, hammers, fuses together with a torch and polishes himself. Dan joined the Village in 1986 and served as its president for 22 years, retiring three years ago.
“As I start my 39th year as a Village member, I have so many wonderful memories that come to mind,” said Dan. “From the very beginning, I was introduced to highly skilled craftspeople who were at the pinnacle of their craft and are cultural treasures in North Carolina. At least one artisan has work in a permanent collection at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.”
Dan admired the artists’ hard work and was impressed by how humble, gracious and friendly they were. As a 37-year-old newcomer, he was grateful to be surrounded by such good-hearted, experienced artisans and now strives to emulate that same example with newcomers today.
“One funny memory I recall is when a young boy walked into the Village many years ago,” said Dan. “He said, ‘Oh no, this is where all the old people are at!’ Bad grammar, I know.”
Paul Rolfe began exhibiting at the Village of Yesteryear in 1983. Over the years, he has demonstrated the art of traditional wood carving — a style of carving that has been used to create furniture, signs, carousel and circus figures, ecclesiastical furnishings and sculptures for centuries.
“What makes the Village such a special place is the people, both the fair visitors and the wide collection of skilled craftspeople,” said Paul. “We artists have bonded like a family — a family that gets together to share our work annually at the N.C. State Fair.”
One of Paul’s favorite memories is of a mother and her young son who would stop by his booth each year to watch him work. The son was fascinated by Paul’s wood carving and would often spend a good amount of time at his booth, asking questions and observing demonstrations of Paul’s tools. They continued this tradition for several years, as the son wanted to see his favorite woodcarver.
“There was a time when the mother would visit without her son but identified herself and thanked me for spending all that time with him,” Paul said. “She came by again in 2023, as usual, but this time her son was with her, and he was a grown man! He said, ‘My mom tells me I used to come by your booth every year when I was a kid and watch your work.’ I thought that was so cool.”
Paul also spoke fondly about moments when people recognized his carving of the Last Supper, which he created at the N.C. State Fair 10 years ago — a testament to the enduring beauty of being an “old-time regular.”
Working at the Village is a family affair for the Webers. In 1986, Sally Weber first attended the Village with her husband, Jim Weber, a wheel-turning potter of functional wares. She was dressed in borrowed colonial clothes and worked as his helper.
In fact, one of Sally’s favorite parts of working at the Village was dressing up — from rich merchant’s wife outfits with lace shirts and homemade skirts to peasant blouses and Western attire. She has an extensive hat and headpiece collection that includes bonnets, lace caps, fedoras, cat ears, witch hats, a warrior woman’s headband, a top hat with white rabbit ears and some cowgirl hats.
“All of my hats are decorated with Village artist pins,” Sally said. “I like to plan my best dress for Sunday.”
In 1988, Sally was invited to be a hand-builder at the Village.
“It was still a man’s world in the early ‘90s, so I had to stand up to a few men to get my own booth separate from Jim’s,” Sally said. “I remember how much prettier my booth was.”
Sally was always looking for ways to reinvent her booth. In 2011, she started a “paint-your-own” table for kids that featured watercolor painting on a clay bisque medallion to make a necklace. In 2020, she had to get creative with how she presented her booth due to COVID-19 restrictions and created a take-home painting kit for the kids.
Sally and Jim’s sons, Philip and Kit Weber, help sell Sally’s pottery at the Village. Additionally, Ryland All Weber, Kit’s wife and Sally’s apprentice, helps her paint and run shows.
“Another thing I love about the Village is how the craftspeople play tricks on each other and help decorate booths with different art,” Sally said. “Playing jokes is a fun way to pass the time, and it’s an honor that everyone makes something for my booth!”
This year, the Village of Yesteryear will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, except for Thursday, Oct. 17, when the exhibit will open at noon. It’s an entertaining attraction for all ages, so be sure to include the Village of Yesteryear in your 2024 N.C. State Fair visit. Check out the Village’s website, www.thevillageofyesteryear.com, to learn more about their work.
