On June 24, visitors to the Boothbay Railway Village were treated to a master class in the art of barrel-making from South Portland craftsman Ed Lutjens. As part of the organization’s ongoing program to highlight old-fashioned techniques with modern use, Lutjens explained his skills and method to anyone who inquired. Technically a cooper by trade, he fashions white oak into barrels for Maine Craft Distilling of Portland.

“White oak doesn’t grow north of Augusta and needs to be air-dried,” Lutjens explained. “My problem is getting enough material.”

As one of the only coopers left in the United States, he said demand is high for his work. In the 1800s, Maine was a leading producer of barrels but the industry was decimated by the advent of corrugated cardboard and plastics. With the emphasis on locally sourced products these days, business is brisk, said Lutjens.

The process is labor-intensive and slow: One 36-gallon barrel takes roughly a day to complete as his operation is a one-man show. The tools are 150 years old and not available at your local Home Depot. For those who missed him, Lutjens will return to the Boothbay Railway Village later this summer for another demonstration.