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THE MECHANICK’S ADVISER
November 19, 2021
Apothecary – Sharon found a 1790 reference in Galt’s account book about a Negro Doctor that was
owned by John Allen of Neck of Land. Margaret has been studying the trade of indigenous Virginia plants with
England. She has also been collecting information about James Petiver of London, who actually specifies how
he wanted plants packaged so they had a better chance of surviving their transatlantic trip to London. Mark
has been busy with his Level 3 studies. Robin has been updating the curriculum for our pharmacy students.
The Apothecaries have discovered a unique way of celebrating Halloween. Mark collected spider webs
for display in a small container. Domestic medical books suggest their use to stop bleeding. He checked
Robert James’ text, an 18th-century professional medical dictionary. James noted that cobwebs had been
previously used in professional medicine. We are interested in volunteers for clinical trials. Just kidding, of
course.
The Apothecary Shop will be open Tuesday through Saturday.
Armoury:
Blacksmith – The Blacksmith Shop will be open Daily.
Tinsmith – This week in the Tin Shop, Steve has been working on a large lantern for the Palmer House.
Joel is making a new soldering stove to replace the old one. He’s been working with sheet iron that’s a little
bit heavier than the common tin plate we use. Jenny is working on a candle box, copied from one in the
Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The Tin Shop will be open Tuesday through Saturday.
Anthony Hay Shop –
Cabinetmaker – The Cabinetmakers are in full swing in preparation for their annual Working Wood in
the 18th Century Conference. Bill has recently been focusing on the carved decoration on the front seat rail of
the Benjamin Bucktrout Masonic ceremonial chair - the only piece of signed cabinet work from 18th-century
Williamsburg. He is also going to be demonstrating work from other Williamsburg ceremonial chairs, but the
curious decorations and fish-head feet on the Bucktrout chair are where he has chosen to start. Jeremy is in
the middle of the usual labor of making drawers for his desk - walnut and pine coming together to make
something usable. It won’t be long before he is done with them though and can move on to the desk gallery
in time for the Conference. John has finished up the bookcase doors but will leave them unfitted for now. He
has been working on running some practice cornice moldings for the bookcase and has made a new sticking
board to help with this. A sticking board is a specialty tool to help the user hold a piece of molding stock
without clamping it, but still allowing them to cut the molding easily with molding planes. John is also
finishing up the two moveable shelves in the bookcase and rounding the bases on his part of the project. If
you haven’t recently, come by and see the work being done - we always enjoy Guests.
The Cabinetmaker and Harpsichord-maker Shop will be open on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and
Thursday. Either the Cabinetmakers or the Harpsichord-makers will be at the Art Museum Gallery on
Wednesday.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 7, Issue 35
�Carpenter – The Carpenters have been repairing fences at the Armoury, reinstalling the sheathing inside
the Deane Forge as the Wheelwrights prepare to move back into their Winter Shop, and we are taking
advantage of this warm November weather to paint our vehicles, gates, and workshop with a fresh coat of
pine tar.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 7, Issue 35
�The Carpenter’s Yard will be open Daily, weather permitting.
Colonial Garden – It is the seasonal last-minute preparations for frost that occupied the Gardeners this
week. Treated wood was painted and installed under one of our hotbeds to deter termites. The window
supports were nothing but hollow shells of paint after those subterranean saboteurs finished dining. Many
thanks to Robert Watson for his help in painting and installing.
All plants in flower pots that do not survive the cold winter were placed in the new hotbed, where they
will stay until spring. Tuberoses were all moved indoors to dry out and lay dormant until spring. Peanuts are
placed out in the sun every day to sun themselves, and the first round of sweet potatoes were taken indoors
after their hardening off in the hotbed. White and red sweet potatoes were dug up from the Sankofa Garden
and have taken their place in the hotbed to harden off. The okra pods and stalks along with the vines of field
pease were cleaned up and composted. The smell of basil still emanates from the dried basil stalks cleaned up
from the edges of the Sankofa Garden. The pigeon pease continue to flower, and the pods continue to swell
despite cooler weather. The first round of lettuce is outgrowing the bell jars, so we will harvest the larger
heads and transplant with replacements waiting in the cold frame. Three rounds of lettuce is what can be
grown from fall to spring. The fire pit awaits the cold weather, which is sure to arrive in the next week or so.
Enjoy the fall colors.
The Colonial Garden will be open on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, weather
permitting.
Cooper – The Coopers recently welcomed a new Intern, Tamsyn, to the Shop. Tamsyn will be working with
us through January. Since the Wythe site is currently closed for maintenance, we have been using the time to
get her as prepared as possible to step in front of the public when we reopen. We have also been finishing up
an order for the Jamestown Glasshouse, who have requested a number of buckets, and preparing materials
for several current and future products. Harry has been working on some wine hogsheads, and I am going to
start work on a tobacco hogshead for use by Ed Schultz in his agricultural interpretation. I also want to extend
a special thanks to Joe Garcia for helping us unload an order of cedar of which we recently took delivery.
The Cooper Shop is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Engraver – So, here are some photos of the goings on in the Engraving Shop. There are lots of secret
squirrel stuff going on, filling custom orders (which have picked up), and we are preparing for another “Trades
Tuesday”. Also, a reminder with up-and-coming holidays and retirements, if you are interested in having
anything engraved, please request it ASAP. Do not wait until the last minute. Only one Engraver is
production-cutting, and we are a busy Shop. Thank you.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 7, Issue 35
�The Engraving Shop will be open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The Engravers will be at the Art Museum
Gallery on Saturday.
Foodways – The Foodways Staff will be at the Palace Kitchen Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
and at the Armoury Kitchen on Thursday.
Foundry – The Foundry will be pouring brass for the Harpsichord-makers this Saturday, making drafting
tools for the Brickyard, and producing more goodies for the Engravers.
The Foundry will be open on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Gunsmith – The Gunsmith Shop will be open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Historic Farming – We plowed most of the field a couple of weeks ago and sowed clover in it to
replenish the soil. Yesterday, all of the cotton plants were grubbed out, as well. Much flax processing has
been happening and is sent to the Weavers through the hands of Guests. It is easy to forget the power of just
the smallest hands-on thing to our Guests. Look at how engaged these kids are at the simple act of picking
seeds out of cotton.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 7, Issue 35
�Learning flows from the hands to the mind.
The Farmer will be at Prentis Field Tuesday through Saturday.
Joinery – The Joinery will be open on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The Joiners will be at the
Art Museum Gallery on Sunday.
Milliner and Mantua-maker – The Milliner and Mantua-maker will be open Sunday, Monday
(closes at 3:00pm), Wednesday, and Thursday. On Monday, November 22nd, at 4:30pm in the Hennage
Auditorium, the Milliners will present “Re-animating 18th-century Fashion.” Through study and
making, we bring 18th-century pictures to three-dimensional reality, give replicas of extant garments
movement and sound, and realize clothing from 18th-century descriptions. This illustrated talk (fashion
show) explores how we recapture 18th-century life and work with clothing.
Music – Greetings from The Governor’s Musick! Amy’s Hennage presentation of “The Bird Fancyer’s
Delight” was a big hit. It was chock-full of nightingale warbling, hen scratching, owl hooting, and cuckoo-ing.
We had a lot of fun. A shout-out goes to Brady, who created some wonderful arrangements for the ensemble.
This is actually a historically accurate practice: performers, especially in places like Williamsburg, where only a
few musicians might be had for an evening, had to scale down larger works to fit their resources. Publications
often also were simplified versions of pieces composed for the opera, church, or theater, so that people could
play and/or sing them at home.
We have one more concert in our November program series on Tuesday, November 23rd, and then our
Christmas Concert Series begins on Saturday, November 27th, followed by three Tuesdays: December 7th,
14th, and 28th. Our unadvertised presence in the Art Museums will expand in December, as well.
Brady, after his participation in the LGBTQ+ seminar, is continuing his research into Isaac Bickerstaff, a
popular librettist who had to flee England when he became caught in the middle of a scandal and was accused
of homosexuality. It ruined his career and deprived England and Ireland of one of its most talented and
popular librettists. Amy continues her research on Cherokee women. Jenny is in the embryotic phase of a
Shakespeare program, based on the actress Kitty Clive and her insertion of Shakespeare songs into whatever
piece she happened to be performing at the time. Karol tracked down facsimile editions of Arne Shakespeare
songs for future use. We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving-The Musicians will be in the Art Museum on Friday mornings and afternoons as advertised and on
Saturdays, unadvertised and subject to change.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 7, Issue 35
�Printer and Bookbinder:
Printing Office – The Printing Office will be open on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and
Saturday.
Bindery – Good day from the Bookbindery.
As Interpreters here in Colonial Williamsburg, it is uncommon to find even one person who does not
give 110% of themselves to their work. Preparation, research, time, and the utmost attention to detail - all
towards one end: that the future may learn from the past. To say that I am proud of my colleagues
throughout the Foundation, for continuing to do this vital work during a pandemic, would be an absolute
understatement.
As we welcome new friends in greater numbers, and welcome back the loyal and friendly faces who
call Colonial Williamsburg home, I want to take the time to recognize and share a snippet of the outpouring of
love we have received this week for our efforts. We at the Bookbindery often hear of the work our colleagues
are doing and the subjects that are being taught. I am very often impressed by the dedication amongst our
ranks to our work, and to this place.
We. Are. Loved.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 7, Issue 35
�Until Next Time.
The Bookbindery will be open Tuesday through Saturday.
Public Leather Works – The Public Leather Works will be open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and
Thursday.
Shoemaker – The Shoemakers are open on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday at the Armoury.
Silversmith – The Silversmiths have been very busy indeed with the usual projects and some last-minute
commissions! It’s Otters, Otters, Otters, and more trade silver as Megan is rounding out her first-year
apprenticeship goals. Bobbie showed some of these pieces in the Livestream two weeks ago on Native
American trade in Williamsburg and the Colonies. Trade Silver jewelry was a desirable commodity in the fur
trade and Indigenous communities, and it has a visual language all its own.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 7, Issue 35
�The 1705 Nelme teapot is looking more like itself every day, and Chris is worried that it may actually
come together in a reasonable fashion. George cast a gold ingot in the Shop today, and over the next several
days, we will be drawing it out into wire for a pair of custom wedding rings ... we may cast another to
complete the order; stop in and see!
The Silversmith Shop will be open on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The Silversmiths will be
at the Art Museum Gallery on Friday.
Tailor – The Holiday Season is nearly upon us, and the Tailors are busy making up a suitable suit for the
Christmastide parties to come! The customer has ordered a red cloth coat with gilt thread buttons, light blue
ottoman silk waistcoat trimmed in narrow gold lace, and black silk satin breeches.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 7, Issue 35
�The Tailor Shop will be open on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. The Tailors will be at the Art Museum
Gallery on Thursday.
Weaving, Spinning, and Dyeing – The Weaver Shop will be open on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
Friday, and Saturday.
Wheelwright – The Wheelwright Shop will be open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Wigmaker – This week has been fruitful for the Wigmakers, and you might have seen them about town
gathering Trades trash for their Holiday tree. Benton continues weaving hair, and Debbie is stitching the wefts
of hair to the caul for Dave Catenese's new wig. Edith continues to work on her second flaxen wig and has
nearly completed the caul. This Monday, Edith and Debbie will work to dress an array of heads for the
Milliner's program at the Hennage! Please don't hesitate to ask for hair assistance if you require it!
The Wig Shop will be open on Sunday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The Wigmakers will be in the
Art Museum Gallery on Monday.
The Mechanick’s Adviser is a publication of the Colonial Williamsburg Department of Historic Trades & Skills.
Editor: Shari Monaco
Contributors: Apothecary – Robin Kipps, Armoury – Jenny Lynn (Tinsmith), Anthony Hay Shop – John Peeler
(Cabinetmaker), Carpenter – Garland Wood, Colonial Garden – Eve Otmar, Cooper – Jon Hallman, Engraver –
Lynn Zelesnikar, Foundry – Mike Noftsger, Historic Farming – Ed Schultz, Music – Karol Steadman, Printer and
Bookbinder – Barbara Swanson (Bindery), Silversmith – Chris Strum, Tailor – Michael McCarty, Wigmaker –
Edith Broward Edds
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 7, Issue 35
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Mechanick's Adviser
Description
An account of the resource
The Mechanick’s Adviser is a weekly newsletter produced by the Colonial Williamsburg Department of Historic Trades and Skills beginning in September 2015 and continuing to the present. The word “mechanick” is an alternative spelling of “mechanic” and is used here in the more archaic sense meaning a skilled tradesperson or artisan. Some weeks the newsletter was not produced and there is a significant months-long gap in the 2020 newsletters reflecting the pandemic-related limitations and closures of the department. The newsletter relates employee news and the current work projects and research of the various trades’ shops belonging to the department as well as other groups described as “skills” including military, music, and dance programs.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2015-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Mechanick's Adviser. Volume 7, number 35, November 19, 2021
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2021-11-19