The Blog of Colonial Williamsburg
Last week a brand-spanking new wagon made its maiden trip down Duke of Gloucester Street, pulled by Duke and Diamond, a yoke of short-horned steers who recently arrived from Georgia. Within a couple of weeks, the wagon will be pressed into daily service for guests to get a unique ride around Palace Green….
Has your child expressed an interest in learning a trade? A brand new program geared toward kids lets them work in three different trades shops to get some real hands-on experience. Let’s talk about The Apprentice.
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Colonial Williamsburg offers vivid sensory experiences: the beauty of a garden; the smell of a cooking fire; the sound of carriage wheels crunching on shells; the taste of fresh gingerbread cookies from the Raleigh Tavern Bakery. But there’s plenty to touch, too: objects to hold, examine, and manipulate. Work to be done….
On most days, my job with Colonial Williamsburg means putting on 18th-century attire and heading into our fair city for a busy day of demonstrating my trade, answering lots of questions, and having in-depth conversation with inquisitive guests…but not today. But today, I am taking a walk in the forest. …
In 2016, a rare opportunity in the Historic Trades and Skills Department of Colonial Williamsburg arose. After the retirement of two wonderful Journeymen, the Joiner’s shop had some vacancies!
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Meet Zachariah Hill, an itinerant artist who has come to Williamsburg and made his services available for “shades,” that is, miniature profiles rendered in ink and watercolor. We’re not sure how long he will be in town, but he has shared several excellent examples of his work, and many esteemed residents have already scheduled appointments….
Every apprentice shoemaker works his or her way through the same innocuous cardboard box. Printed on one side are the words “Protect from Freezing.” Inside, it’s filled with pieces of old shoes that date to the late 18th century.
Al Saguto, the Master of the Shop, has been using the box as a teaching device for years. This month it’s apprentice Rob Welch’s turn to draw the ancient footwear and earn a step forward on the path to journeyman shoemaker….
In 1800 an enslaved Virginian named Gabriel Prosser plotted an insurrection in Henrico County near Richmond. His goal reportedly was to kill any white person he came across, sparing only French Huguenots and one named individual. That person was Mary Randolph who, declared Prosser, would cook for him and be his queen.
Why would Prosser single out a white woman of privilege in such a way?…
Once lambing is over for the season, sheep in need of a haircut (shearing) will be led over to a small enclosure adjacent to the Weaver’s Shop. Leicester Longwools are bred for quality meat, but also for their wool. But where does all that fleece end up?…
After a decades-long hiatus, candlemaking as a trade has returned to the Revolutionary City. Chandlers, as they are known, are hand-dipping candles and you can join in on the fun.
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