Washington Times!

This year, Wales was the feature nation at the 2009 Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, from 24 – 28 June and 1 – 5 July.

The festival is an annual cultural festival run by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, a research and educational unit of the Smithsonian Institution. The festival celebrates the cultural traditions of communities from across the United States and from around the world.

Ty-Mawr was extremely proud to be one of just 130 participants representing Wales at the event, on an area the size of four football pitches on Washington's National Mall. Ty-Mawr made and shipped out a replica of their popular demonstration house - a small oak-framed house with panels showing the differnet products.

Over 1.4 million people visited the event over the 10 days. Our presence was reported by the Washington Times, please see the following link.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/29/architecture-welsh-green-buildings/

 

 

Day 1 - Our oak-framed house pre-constructed by Ty-Mawr in Wales, arrived safely in the States. Jeremy Ryall reconstructing it on the National Mall.

 Day 2 - Ned Scharer plastering one of the demonstration panels with lime plaster.

 

Week 1 - The exhibition house is like a honey pot being one of the first exhibits people see when arriving via the metro. Jeremy and Ned receive 1000s of appreciative and enthusiastic visitors! The Washington Tower provides an impressive backdrop with the Capitol building flanking the otherside!

 

Week 2 - Nigel and Joyce Gervis arrive to provide some reinforcements and are overwhelmed with the enthusiasm and support for their products and approach to sustainable building as well as the sheer numbers visiting the house.

 

Products creating the most interest - glaster plaster and Welsh sheep's wool insulation.

Favourite comment of the exhibition (from a young American lady of about 5) - "Gee, are all houses this little in Wales!".

Our thanks to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the Welsh Assembly Government for the opportunity to be part of a truly impressive Welsh display and a colourful, unforgettable fortnight in Washington with many talented participants from the countries taking part in the Festival.