"Burdock House" the intentional community and event space is non-operational at this time. The blog remains up for archival purposes/historical interest.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Burdock House started in 2013 as a House of Hospitality offering temporary housing and other services to people in need. The house and three adjacent lots were purchased with our own savings from part-time incomes and a few thousand in donations and no-interest private loans. We've been learning construction from library books and trial & error and have been slowly converting the warehouse-like space into a home ever since. We also garden the empty lots surrounding the house.
In 2015 we realized that we didn't have the resources and human-power needed to serve the homeless population well and we started working more on cultural and art events at the house. After a few house-mate switches, some challenges and a whole lot more remodeling we ended up where we are today.
It's a crazy story, ask us in person sometime if you want to hear more.
WHAT IS BURDOCK ANYWAY?
Burdock is a super common plant growing wild in almost anywhere people can be found (at least in the eastern US). Most folks who could identify burdock would probably consider it a "noxious" weed. The burs (containing burdock's seeds) stubbornly stick to clothes and fur and removing the burs can be a tedious and painful affair. But burdock is also a beautifully strong, resilient, and giving character. It's deep roots draw nutrients from the earth and actually taste pretty good. Burdock also is traditionally used as herbal medicine.
Like burdock, many of people who have lived and hung out at our house are regarded by society as waste, a problem to be dealt with, eyesores, of no value to anyone. Pretty deep shit, aye?
Burdock House started in 2013 as a House of Hospitality offering temporary housing and other services to people in need. The house and three adjacent lots were purchased with our own savings from part-time incomes and a few thousand in donations and no-interest private loans. We've been learning construction from library books and trial & error and have been slowly converting the warehouse-like space into a home ever since. We also garden the empty lots surrounding the house.
In 2015 we realized that we didn't have the resources and human-power needed to serve the homeless population well and we started working more on cultural and art events at the house. After a few house-mate switches, some challenges and a whole lot more remodeling we ended up where we are today.It's a crazy story, ask us in person sometime if you want to hear more.
WHAT IS BURDOCK ANYWAY?Burdock is a super common plant growing wild in almost anywhere people can be found (at least in the eastern US). Most folks who could identify burdock would probably consider it a "noxious" weed. The burs (containing burdock's seeds) stubbornly stick to clothes and fur and removing the burs can be a tedious and painful affair. But burdock is also a beautifully strong, resilient, and giving character. It's deep roots draw nutrients from the earth and actually taste pretty good. Burdock also is traditionally used as herbal medicine.
Like burdock, many of people who have lived and hung out at our house are regarded by society as waste, a problem to be dealt with, eyesores, of no value to anyone. Pretty deep shit, aye?
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