Step into the world of Jay McGinnis, a modern-day craftsman with a passion for preserving the past. In this engaging session, Jay will share the fascinating story behind the Woolen Mill Fan Company, LLC. He'll discuss how his childhood fascination with his grandmother's attic sparked a lifelong appreciation for the unique character of antiquated objects. Jay will explain how a search for fans for his own 1874 farmhouse led him to recreate the iconic Snediker and Carr belt-and-pulley systems, and how this personal project evolved into a thriving business celebrated for its dedication to timeless design and quality craftsmanship.

About Jay:

Drawing from a childhood love for exploring his grandmother's attic, Jay McGinnis developed a deep appreciation for the unique craftsmanship of objects from a bygone era. He believes that the artistry and character found in vintage items have been lost to mass production, a philosophy that became the foundation for his company, Woolen Mill Fan Company, LLC.

A 1979 graduate of Carnegie Mellon with a BFA in sculpture and intaglio, McGinnis launched his company after an inspired renovation of his own 1874 farmhouse. When he couldn't find a suitable ceiling fan, he acquired patterns and drawings from a 1976 Bicentennial exhibition at the Smithsonian Institute. These unique patterns were replications of fans built by the 1880s Philadelphia firm, Snediker and Carr.

McGinnis's innovative fan systems, which linked multiple rooms with belts driven by a single motor, caught the eye of a Lancaster-based architect who encouraged him to market his work. The Woolen Mill Fan Company was an instant success, with representation on Madison Avenue in NYC and in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. From his New Park, Pennsylvania, farm studio, McGinnis sold his distinct creations to top architects and designers, as well as high-end homes, banks, cafés, and movie sets. Notable clients have included Starbucks, Peet's Coffee, Polo Ralph Lauren, and MGM and Paramount Pictures.

Today, visitors are invited to the New Park studio by appointment to see the fans and tour McGinnis's collections of antique windmills, art gallery, and gardens.