Horse Weather Vane

A popular memento for visitors to New England’s Maine coast is a gift from Weathervanes of Copper. William and Ellen McElvain recognized the appeal of the unique attraction when they opened a small working coppersmith and woodshop in the Maine coastal town of Trenton. The first weathervane they created still adorns the top of a barn in Hudson Maine. From those humble beginnings, their business has grown to be a leader in this niche market. The business now has a new showroom and manufacturing plant located Downeast Maine. There, they market over 100 designs of weathervanes, from the dancing dolphins to the horse weather vane and many cupola styles. In typical friendly Maine style, they invite you to stop in and visit if you’re ever in the area.

Weathervanes originally were used to quickly judge which way the wind was blowing, but quickly became more ornamental in nature. Weathervanes of Copper produces only high quality original designs made of pure metal. Copper is a relatively soft metal and easy to work. When originally exposed to weather, the weathervane is a reddish-brown natural copper color which gradually, as the copper reacts to the elements over about a ten year period, turns first to a dark brown color then to the natural green patina. The attractive and original weathervane designs come with complete installation instructions.

A horse weather vane has been a popular design from early New World days when settlers tended to utilize weathervane themes which resonated to the world around them. They commemorated all types of wild life including moose, deer, bears and the fish which abounded in the lakes and waters of New England. A horse might be shown trotting or pulling a doctor’s buggy. In the late 1800s with the continued popularity of weathervanes, a horse weather vane often commemorated a particular famous horse. Sometimes horses representing a breed such as the Morgan horse was chosen. At other times, one of the famous race horses would be depicted in fully running stride.

Craftsmen and artisans have continued to use many of the same themes as well as creating new and original designs. This makes the hardest part of shopping at Weathervanes of Copper deciding which design to choose. Or perhaps you’d like to give a horse weather vane gift to a friend or family member; or, perhaps you’d like to commemorate their love of gold. Either way, you can have the enjoyment of choosing two unique and beautiful designs.