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Projects
The intent of the Guild is to fill a niche in the hereditary
society community by honoring those enterprising ancestors
whose labor and skills help build this country and/or whose
gifted talents in the humanities lifted the spirits of our
founding fathers. The trades of these ancestors, such as blacksmiths,
printers, poets, carpenters, musicians, coopers, tailors, malsters,
and
a host of others are also trades that are being taught to young
and old and brought before the general public as demonstrations
of early Colonial life.
As a non-profit organization, the Guild of Colonial Artisans
and Tradesmen 1607-1783 shall focus our annual charitable efforts
on supporting programs related to the Colonial Trades. Venues
under consideration will be that of apprenticeship programs,
covering a variety of trades, in which individuals today are
learning the historical implementation of ancestral skills
and are perpetuating
these aspects of early life in America. Other projects being
researched are the support of organizations that visually interpret
and demonstrate Colonial life in the trades as well as Colonial
archeological excavations that often reveal the residue of
early trades.
2005
The Plimoth Plantation Apprenticeship Program
www.plimoth.org
Plimoth Plantation is fortunate to have a dedicated and skilled
staff committed to education. Their apprenticeship programs
offer unique opportunities to people of all ages interested
in various crafts. Currently, apprenticeships are available
in blacksmithing, joinery, historic carpentry, pottery, and
17th century needlework.
2006
COPELAND SPOON EXHIBIT, Jamestowne Visitors Center, Jamestowne
Island, VA
www.nps.gov/james
The Guild was a contributor to a new exhibit housed in the
newly built Jamestowne Visitors Center which opened to the
public in 2007. Displayed on the exterior circular wall of
the Visitors Theatre, is a case housing the oldest discovered
pewter spoon in America, a product of the craftsmanship of
an early Virginian artisan, Joseph Copeland, Pewtersmith. The
spoons original bowl, of this remarkable find, is missing and
drawings depicting the style of the time and how the original
spoon would have looked in its entirety are included. This
is a prominent piece of history and the Guild is very honored
to have played a part in bringing it into the publics view
through our donation supporting the exhibit. Replica Copeland
Pewter Spoons are sold in the gift shop of the Visitors Center.
2007
1785 BARN AND GRANARY, Historic St. Mary's City, Maryland
www.stmaryscity.org
The Guild chose Historic St. Mary's City as its 2007 charitable
donation recipient in support of the oldest surviving building
in St. Mary's City. Dated to 1785, the tobacco barn and
granary were constructed by John Mackall, Carpenter. Mackall
was well
versed in colonial Chesapeake architectural traditions,
some of which dated from the 17th Century. The use of riven
oak
clapboard and tilted false plates, as well as the use of
older English methods of joinery are evident in this structure.
The
Guilds donation will go toward creating story board to
interpret for the public the colonial construction of this
rare surviving
example of carpentry work.
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