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THE MECHANICK’S ADVISER
February 18, 2022
Apothecary – The Apothecary Shop will be open Sunday, and Wednesday through Saturday.
Armoury:
Blacksmith – Greetings from the Anderson Forge! The Blacksmiths had another week of fine hardware
and diligent repairs for their compatriots about town and for within the Shop. Alex has finished the order of
hoes for Farmer Ed, who collected the lot of them yesterday. For the work to commence on the plow, Alex
needed to forge a nail puller to remove the hardware attached. He is quite pleased with the puller and now
can mend the plow by forging thin straps of iron to match the contours of the plow’s mouldboard. A
challenging task indeed. This week, Broadus has entered the world of National Association of Interpretation
Certified Interpretive Guide training. He rejoins the Shop after a final presentation about hammers: a humble
topic that highlights the importance of our world’s ingenuity, a link to our collective resolve, and a way for our
Guests to affirm the necessity of the Blacksmiths. Owen worked on another rake with a third lined up behind
that one, soon to be completed. Mark made a fine punch for the Master Cabinetmaker Bill and continued the
work on the pit saw tiller. He is also making repairs to the bellows by sorting through the hundreds of tacks,
forging new ones, and also guiding Alex and Owen in the process of those bellows tacks, too. Making a
bellows tack is a very small forging, while normal-size nails are forged in one heat or thirty seconds, these
require two heats for the Apprentices. As they make dozens of them, they will increase their speed, no doubt.
Aislinn has work to do on pipe tomahawks, bench hammers, and pattens for shoes. Master Ken has worked
on a component for the Public Leatherworkers’ repairs to the bellows, chisels for the Harpsichord-makers, and
a hammer poll axe, while guiding Alex and Owen in their work. Finally, we would be remiss not to mention the
Brickmakers: Master Josh stopped by last week to have one of their line pins straightened and copies made of
their small tools. He left wholly satisfied, for all’s well that falls well at the foot of the anvil, no matter the size.
Alex’s new nail puller, used to remove nails, on top of the plow’s moldboard with one of the iron straps.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 8, Issue 6
�A meager portion of the bellows tacks made by
Alex and Owen so far.
One of the Small Tools made for the Brickmakers.
Notice the bends and flat pointed ends.
The Blacksmith Shop will be open Daily.
Tinsmith – This week in the Tin Shop, Steve has been busy working on the Palmer House lantern
project as well as constructing new air pipes for one of the Armoury’s forges. Jenny has been researching the
tin trade, specifically shipping, and working on box construction. Joel has continued to work with a new paint
medium to see its effectiveness for the Shop’s needs, constructing lids for saucepans, as well as participating
in NAI CIG training for ERHI staff.
The Tin Shop will be open Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Anthony Hay Shop – The Cabinetmaker and Harpsichord-maker Shop will be open Sunday through
Thursday.
Brickmaker – Oh what a week we’ve had in Masonry
Trades! First, Apprentices Madeleine and Nick got a chance to
play at being Carpenters, a task made all the easier under the
paternal guiding hand and watchful eye of Journeyman
Carpenter Bobby Clay. Nick was successful cutting some
interrupted studs for the Carpenters’ Innermost House project,
while Madeleine made the wood chips fly with a mortising
chisel. Master Josh and Journeyman Kenneth were relegated to
being muscle, as suits their combined athletic frames.
Meanwhile, the first few loads of beautiful clay have
arrived for the 2022 brickmaking season, and the Apprentices
couldn’t be happier! We offer a figurative tip-of-the-hat to our
friends at the Branscome Materials Charles City operation, who
never get weirded out by our super-specific requests for clay.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 8, Issue 6
�Carpenter – At the Carpenter’s Yard this week, we are finishing up the last of the bracing and studs for the
Innermost House frame. We will complete the frame by early next week.
The dormer window that was installed on the saw house two years ago was removed by one of our
Brickyard Brethren this week, as well. The experiment was a success. We were very happy with the
performance of both methods of waterproofing. It needed to be removed for some site work that will
eventually need to be done to help tie the new Brickyard to the existing Carpenter’s Yard.
Next week, we will be organizing the Innermost House for shipping it out and organizing the next
framing material, which will arrive onsite next week. As big of a yard as it is, it will have three full framesworth of material on it. Stop in and say hi if you can find us in between the piles of framing.
The Carpenter’s Yard will be open Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday through Saturday, weather permitting.
On Wednesday, February 23rd, at 4:00pm in the Hennage Auditorium, the Carpenters will present “How Did
They Survive?” for Black History Month. Join Journeyman Carpenter Ayinde Martin as he discusses enslaved
people in Colonial Virginia and the survival techniques and skills they possessed.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 8, Issue 6
�Colonial Garden – This week, the Gardeners planted pease (Pisum sativum) in the Garden as we usually
do this time every year. It was dry enough that we could work the soil, and with the help of our NIAHD
Volunteer, Kira, the rows were marked, and the seed sown. We strive to sow the seed as early as possible,
much like the competition between Thomas Jefferson and his neighbor to see who could bring forth the first
pea of the season. The trellis will come later as the Sycamore trees are being pollarded for their sticks this
very week.
The project at hand is watching the compost for the hotbed heat up. The temperature today is a little
over 135 degrees F. In the morning, steam can be seen rising from the pile. This year, we have inserted an
iron bar in the pile that will heat with the pile, and then, when it is withdrawn daily, we can see how hot it has
become. The Gardener will be able to ascertain whether the pile is continuing to heat or cool. When the
temperature recedes, this is an indication that the pile needs to be turned. Once again, learning a process
without using modern tools such as a thermometer. A good teaching moment, but one that will not replace
the thermometer, for obvious reasons.
The birds are pairing up and have become active around the Garden. We look forward to their antics
and welcome their voracious appetites as they can consume an enormous number of insects. Cleanup and
pruning continue. When the plants are dormant, it is time to prune. This is nice work when the weather is
nice. Many thanks to Joseph in Coach & Livestock for bringing the leavings from the sheep pastures. We are
amassing a huge compost pile that will provide useful compost for the Garden. Spring is on its way!
The Colonial Garden will be open on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, weather
permitting.
Cooper – The Cooper Shop is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Engraver – In the Engraving Shop this week, William finished up several trade silver items for the
Silversmith Shop and continued to dig a little deeper into William Waddill’s family connections. He is trying to
build a bigger picture of Waddill and his connections here in Williamsburg and see if he can find out more
about his business and extended family.
Lynn has been finishing up a presentation piece and working with Erica (Intern) on building monograms
and looking and comparing 18th-century styles to later 19th- and 20th-century styles. Her drawing of
monograms has begun and is coming along nicely. Lynn is also putting together a timeline and looking into
Ann Geddy’s life and her time running the Geddy business for a future Women’s program. We have also
assisted this week at the Foundry, as the Apprentices there have been in NAI training.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 8, Issue 6
�The Engraving Shop will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Fifes & Drums – Fifes and Drums continues to work toward picking out its new recruit class of 2022,
which should be one of the biggest ever! We have also welcomed back the Senior Corps in time to perform
for the upcoming President's Day celebration. Finally, we are working toward plans for this year's upcoming
Drummer's Call event, our first in-person since the pandemic.
Foodways – The Foodways Staff will be at the Palace Kitchen Sunday through Wednesday, and Saturday.
Foundry – The Foundry will be open Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 8, Issue 6
�Gunsmith – The Gunsmith Shop will be open Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.
Historic Farming – Plowing is coming soon at Prentis Field, and Blacksmith Alex Hinman is doing some
repairs on our plow’s mouldboard. This plow is a replica made from an original in the collections of the Landis
Valley Farm and Museum in Pennsylvania. It is the only known reproduction of a barshare-type plow in
America. Retired Historic Farmer Wayne Randolph did extensive research on it; Steve Chabra made the wood
parts; Ken Schwarz worked on the metal parts for us; and Ed trained the oxen to pull it. The first furrow was
plowed in October of 2008. It took us a couple of years to tweak the settings on it, but we have been plowing
well with it for 14 years. There is a 150-year-old-plus British saying that I use every year when plowing starts:
“Speed the Plow!”
Alex Hinman is replacing the sheathing strips on the mouldboard, 2022.
Ed was training little two-year-old Duke and Dan in 2008.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 8, Issue 6
�The first furrow was plowed by Wayne Randolph in 2008.
Joinery – The Joinery will be open Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Milliner and Mantua-maker – The Milliner will be open Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Music – The Governor’s Musick ensemble is busy preparing for the spring season. Brady and Karol are in
much-overdue NAI certification training this week and will be able to rejoin the ensemble next week. The
Governor’s Musick will be reviving a new version of our Women in Early Music program in honor of Women’s
History Month, and this will be at the Raleigh Tavern Apollo Room on March 16, 23, 26, and 30. Shows will
begin at 1:00pm and 3:00pm and last 45 minutes. Amy has written a realization of the figured bass for Karol
aria, “Amor commanda” from Handel’s opera Florimante for this program. In April, the Governor’s Musick will
be at the Raleigh Tavern on Wednesday afternoons and will have two Palace Concerts a week on Tuesdays and
Saturdays, which will let guests out each night just as CW Lights opens. For the rest of the Spring, Governor’s
Musick will have Palace Concerts on Tuesdays.
The Governor’s Musick has been called upon to help out other Departments. Last week, Amy made a
recording of three country dances for Sarah Andrews for use during the Home Educator’s experience February
26 through March 6. Sarah has junior interpreter dancers in the Palace Gardens dancing to these tunes from
10:00am to 4:00pm daily during this time. This week, Amy made a recording of the country dance, “Wellhall”, from Playford’s Dancing Master at Jamie Fore’s studio for a new show that Alex Morse is putting
together for the spring. Amy is still helping out at Fifes and Drums by passing tunes to Rebecca Sterner and is
spending her Fridays making repairs to costuming at the Costume Design Center. Jenny and Amy will be
playing Friday morning in the Leckie Gallery of the Museum when Donor Mosey Leckie will be there with a
group of people. Amy has been practicing a little harpsichord, and she and Jenny have practiced some duets
to do for Ms. Leckie.
The Governor’s Musick is also busy planning and preparing for the year. Amy is working to plan out the
rest of the year with Evening Programs. Jenny has been working to keep up her violin playing skills on the
repertoire chosen for our upcoming concerts and is also working her vocal muscles to keep her voice in
shape. One never knows when one will be called upon to sing a catch, glee, madrigal, or even aria duet, and
Jenny is always ready to step up to that plate.
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 8, Issue 6
�Winter is almost over, and the Governor’s Musick is looking forward to all the wonders of spring, the
warmer weather; the bulbs, shrubs, and trees in bloom; the birth of baby lambs, and all the optimism these
elements of nature inspire in us all.
Musket Range – The Musket Range continues to prepare for our upcoming seminar in March, aimed at
teaching Firearm Safety to Museum and Living History Professionals. We are also looking forward soon to
hiring a Musket Range Supervisor. Last year turned out to be almost our best year ever, with the total number
of tickets sold only 50 fewer than in 2016, and that was with almost 2000 fewer tickets available!
Printer and Bookbinder:
Printing Office – The Printing Office will be open Saturday. It will be closed February 20-25 for
annual maintenance.
Bindery – The Bookbindery will be open Saturday. It will be closed February 20-25 for annual
maintenance.
Public Leather Works – Due to the maintenance shut down, the Public Leather Works is doing some
work for our pals at the Public Armoury and putting new leather on some bellows. We give a shout out to
Mark and Aislinn for demo and prep, getting them ready for us. This was Emma's first experience with the Joy
of bellows. We will be back in the Shop just in time for Home Educator’s Week.
The Public Leather Works will be closed February 20-25 for annual maintenance.
Shoemaker – The Shoemakers at the Armoury are closed this week.
Silversmith – The Silversmiths are very busy pouring ingots, forging, filing, and polishing their plethora of
projects. Chris’s teapot is coming along well, as are George’s cups and Preston’s small bowls. Bobbie and
Megan are working on saw piercing and filing a large number of letter charms. Bobbie is also turning a new
handle for a silver ladle. The ladle was a reproduction made for use as a prop; and after many years of being
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 8, Issue 6
�handled, knocked about, and gestured with, it began to split. The new handle is looking quite lovely and quite
sturdy. Megan continues forging her silver ingot into sheet and has cast five more ingots, two copper and
three silver. The largest of the copper ones will be used for practicing forging down at the Blacksmith Shop. A
new, thin ingot mold was cast into with silver after having successfully been used for Chris Custalow’s copper
pour a few months ago. We are incredibly pleased with this new mold.
Bobbie’s ladle handle
The copper ingots along with a nugget of overspill
The silver ingot from the thin mold
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 8, Issue 6
�The Silversmith Shop will be open Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Tailor – The Tailor Shop will be open Sunday, Monday, and Thursday.
Weaving, Spinning, and Dyeing – The Weaving Shop will be open on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
Friday, and Saturday.
Wheelwright – The Wheelwright Shop will be open Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Wigmaker – This week, Edith completed her base for Robert's wig and will begin adding the rows of hair
that Benton has already woven. The alteration to Mike's wig was completed, and now Debbie will ply her
fingers to weaving hair with Benton. Our goal is to complete Robert's wig in the next week or two. Edith has
been in contact with some international museums in an effort to plan a future trip for the Shop, but more to
come on that. Maintenance continues as the typical Virginia weather fluctuates, and we're teased with a hint
of Spring.
The Wig Shop will be open on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
The Mechanick’s Adviser is a publication of the Colonial Williamsburg Department of Historic Trades & Skills.
Editor: Shari Monaco
Contributors: Armoury – Owen Kelsey (Blacksmith) and Joel Anderson (Tinsmith), Brickmaker – Joshua Graml,
Carpenter – Matt Sanbury, Colonial Garden – Eve Otmar, Engraver – Lynn Zelesnikar, Fifes & Drums – Justin
Chapman, Historic Farming – Ed Schultz, Music – Amy Miller, Musket Range – Justin Chapman, Public Leather
Works – Jay Howlett, Silversmith – Megan Cantwell, Wigmaker – Debbie Turpin
Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Volume 8, Issue 6
�
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 8, number 6, February 18, 2022
Creator
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Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Department of Historic Trades and Skills
Publisher
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Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2022-02-18