Played at home by both men and women, guitars and fiddles were the instruments of choice for early rural America. Lightweight and easy to carry, these musical tools were expertly handcrafted by specialized craftsmen known as “luthiers.” Today, in a world of mass production and manufacturing, only a handful of artisans still practice this ancient trade. Join us at the Mabee Farm Historic Site as we demonstrate and discuss the ins and outs of the trade with local luthier, Roy Watson.

A lifetime guitar player, Roy shares his passion for music with his family, though it wasn’t until retirement that he was able to devote his time to building and constructing these delicate instruments. Roy specializes in crafting guitars, banjos, and other stringed acoustic instruments out of locally sourced wood.