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All the United States New Hampshire Greenfield Yankee Siege Trebuchet

Yankee Siege Trebuchet

This modern medieval weapon of war was built to toss pumpkins.

Greenfield, New Hampshire

Added By
Greg Boggis
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Yankee Siege Giant Mace   Greg Boggis
Yankee Siege Giant Mace   Greg Boggis
Yankee Siege   Greg Boggis
Looking up the Yankee Siege   Greg Boggis
Yankee Siege Sign   Greg Boggis
Yankee Siege Gears   Greg Boggis
16th century catapult, from engraving   Library of Congress
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About

In 2004, a family of New Hampshire farmers conceived of and built a massive, six-story-tall trebuchet (a catapult with a weighted counterbalance that provides enormous throwing power) and named it the Yankee Siege.

The once bustling compound, home of the famed trebuchet, a moat, a target castle on a faraway hilltop and a giant mace sits quietly, waiting for the next round of fire to show off to a carload of pumpkin buyers or leaf-peepers. 

The mastermind behind the Yankee Siege is a local Greenfield, New Hampshire farmer who wanted to create a roadside attraction that would bring more customers to his farm stand. After watching an episode of NOVA that featured the 12th century war machines called trebuchets, he was struck with a little knightly inspiration.

The Yankee Siege has been a highlight for the tiny hamlet of Greenfield, bringing curious rubber-neckers to watch the contraption toss pumpkins, grown right on the farm, thousands of feet, even competing in “punkin chunkin” competitions.

The Yankee Siege was retired in 2010, and is getting a little rusty with age, but its builders are still proud of its once record-holding toss of 2,835 feet – more than half a mile. True Yankee ingenuity, with a medieval twist.  

 

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Weapons Medieval Farms Roadside Attractions

Know Before You Go

Roughly three miles southeast from the center of Greenfield on Route # 31/Forest Road.

The attraction is closed to the public during the winter months, with multiple “No Trespassing/Private Property” signs posted around the premises. It can, however, be viewed from the road.

Community Contributors

Added By

GregBoggis

Edited By

JakeIngram

  • JakeIngram

Published

November 3, 2015

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Sources
  • http://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/punkin-chunkin/videos/punkin-chunkin-yankee-siege/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trebuchet
  • https://www.punkinchunkin.com/
Yankee Siege Trebuchet
1290 Forest Road
Greenfield, New Hampshire, 03047
United States
42.954305, -71.921732
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Peterborough Town Library

Peterborough, New Hampshire

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Hampshire

New Hampshire

United States

Places 110
Stories 6

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Peterborough Town Library

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Hampshire

New Hampshire

United States

Places 110
Stories 6

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