After serving in the Air Force for more than thirty years and traveling around the world, Shannon Thomas and her husband Adam (also recently retired from military service) found a house in Shepherdstown in need of a little TLC. Actually, to call it a house would be stretching things a bit. Likewise, a little TLC understated the work that needed to be done.
The Thomas’ new home started its life as a small grist mill over two centuries earlier. Expanded over the years, the Shepherd’s Mill building is large, drafty, creaky — and being in Shepherdstown, surely haunted. Thanks to Shannon’s artistic bent, and Adam’s willingness to take on any handyman task (or call in the experts when needed), the mill has been revitalized. Even the 40-foot diameter, 12-ton iron water wheel is turning again.
Like the wheel, Shannon’s attention kept turning to creative pursuits, which soon led her to enroll in Shepherd University to pursue an art degree. Naturally, the mill itself has been a focus of her early work.
Thomas will be hosting an open house and exhibit of her work, titled “A View to a Mill,” on Saturday and Sunday, April 13-14, from 10 am to 5 pm. Email ShanPur@gmail.com for more information about the event or artwork.
