March is maple season in New England. Here, featured photographer Jeffrey Newcomer shares a collection of images celebrating the spirit of the maple sugaring process at Stonewall Farm in Keene, New Hampshire. At the farm’s annual Sap Gathering Contest, teams step back in time to compete using draft horse-drawn sap sleds, while visitors enjoy the experience the traditional method of collecting sap to make maple sugar. Here’s a closer look.
The Spirit of Maple Sugaring | Photos
Sap collection begins at Stonewall Farm in Keene, New Hampshire. Photo Credit : Newcomer, JeffreyHarold Bigelow checks the brew. Photo Credit : Newcomer, JeffreyFoam is skimmed off the top of the boiling brew. Photo Credit : Newcomer, JeffreyThe collected sap is unloaded outside the sugar house. Photo Credit : Newcomer, JeffreySampling the pure maple syrup at Stonewall Farm. Photo Credit : Newcomer, JeffreyGrades of maple syrup are held up to the light. Learn more in our Guide to Maple Syrup Grades. Photo Credit : Newcomer, JeffreyChildren watch the maple sugaring process from a safe distance. Photo Credit : Newcomer, JeffreyWelcome to Stonewall Farm in Keene, New Hampshire. Photo Credit : Newcomer, JeffreyStep back in time to experience the traditional method of collecting sap to make maple sugar. Photo Credit : Newcomer, JeffreyHarold Bigelow inside the sugar house at Stonewall Farm. Photo Credit : Newcomer, Jeffrey
See more of Jeffrey’s work at partridgebrookreflections.com.
This post was first published in 2012 and has been updated.
“I left home at ten and got back before twelve with two and three quarters pints of sap, in addition to the one and three quarters I found collected…Had a dispute with Father about the use of my making this sugar when I knew it could be done and might have bought sugar cheaper at Holden’s. He said it took me from my studies. I said I made it my study; I felt as if I had been to a university.” Henry David Thoreau, Journal, March 21,1856
“I left home at ten and got back before twelve with two and three quarters pints of sap, in addition to the one and three quarters I found collected…Had a dispute with Father about the use of my making this sugar when I knew it could be done and might have bought sugar cheaper at Holden’s. He said it took me from my studies. I said I made it my study; I felt as if I had been to a university.” Henry David Thoreau, Journal, March 21,1856
My husband and I will be making some maple syrup tomorrow. We made some last week not much but enough for us tasted good!