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.

 

 

home | about | events | membership | projects | reference

copyright ©2004 , Guild of Colonial Artisans & Tradesmen
All rights reserved.
site development & maintenance
Avery Associates