Hockaday Handcrafted Brooms of Selmer

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Broom Maker Jack Martin makes Hockaday Handcrafted Brooms in Selmer, Tennessee

A Hockaday Handcrafted Broom stands by itself.

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That’s the motto of Jack Martin’s broom-making business, family-owned for nearly 100 years. Martin’s grandfather taught him the techniques, and he inherited the original winding table, broom press and threading tools built by his great-grandfather – but locating a source for the rare broomcorn plant proved to be quite an undertaking.

Hockaday Brooms

 

After a three-year search, he finally found the seed – in Mexico.

Today, Martin plants several acres of broomcorn on the family farm in McNairy County, a modest amount considering that each house broom requires 250 plants.

“That’s because each plant produces only one tassel,” says Martin, adding that he tells folks that a sturdy Hockaday broom takes five months and 45 minutes to make.

Hockaday Brooms

 

“Five months to grow and prepare the corn; 45 minutes to tie on the handle.”

To learn more about Hockaday brooms, visit www.hhbrooms.com or watch the video below, produced by Stones River Company.

14 Comments

  1. Liz Gray says:

    Great to see you are still keeping the tradition going. Happy New Year to you. Liz Lambert Gray

  2. Lee says:

    Interesting article. Anyone wanting to raise broom corn can get seed from Alber Lea Seed Co in Albert Lea, Minn. THat’s where I get mine.

  3. J. Lynn Granger says:

    Jack, Do you still have in your muiseum the broom tying machine AND the “one man” crosscut saw that the Granger family donated several years ago? A book is in procress and a picture of those items are being considered for inclusion. Would you consider taking the pictures and sending them to me by e – mail? I have limited mobility and getting around is very difficult.

    • Blair Thomas says:

      Hi Lynn,
      The best way to get in touch with Jack is to email him at jack@hhbrooms.com. He should get back to you and be able to answer your question about the broom tying machine and crosscut saw. Hope this helps, and thanks for reading!

      Blair Thomas
      Tennessee Home & Farm

  4. […] Hockaday Handcrafted Brooms of Selmer | Tennessee Home and …Sep 1, 2005 … Jack Martin learned the art of broom-making from his grandfather, and he still uses tools and techniques from his great-grandfather to create … […]

  5. James Penix says:

    the email does not work. would like to talk to jack

  6. Don Berry says:

    Jack Martin’s email address (jack@hhbrooms.com) does not work. Do you have alternate email address where he can be reached?

    Don

  7. James Penix says:

    would some one check on the email address of Jack Martin please. it looks like the hhbrooms.com are part of his web site. thank you so much James

    • Rachel Bertone says:

      Hello,

      The only email address we have for Jack Martin is jack@hhbrooms.com. It is possible his email has changed, but we do not have the new one. We suggest trying to reach him by phone at (731) 645-4823. Hope this helps! Thanks for reading Tennessee Home & Farm!

      Rachel
      Editor
      Tennessee Home & Farm

  8. James Penix says:

    are you getting this. thanks

    • Don says:

      I just got an answer from Jack by email. Apparently he is receiving the emails even though they may be kicking back to us on our system.

      Don

  9. kathy ray says:

    I love your brooms. I bought one at the fair one year and I am still using it. How much is your brooms now and can you ship one if I need a new broom.

  10. Toby cannon says:

    Jack, we came in yesterday July 24, 2020. That was amazing. I loved that you loved what you do. I pray the someone follows you in this craft.

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