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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.montpelier.org/
X-WR-CALNAME:Montpelier
X-WR-CALDESC:Explore History At Our House
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260919T000000
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CREATED:20260804
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SUMMARY:Trade Festival: Carpentry, Blacksmithing, Leatherworking, and Log Cabin Construction
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a day-long educational experience in which you will work side-by-side with heritage blacksmiths, carpenters, leatherworkers, and framers to learn the trades and skills employed by the Montpelier enslaved community. This program is based on extensive documentary and archaeological research into the expertise of skilled Black artisans at Montpelier. Note with registering for the program, you will take part in zoom-based trainings for the days leading up to September 19th. These safety trainings will allow you to take part in the hands-on activities on September 19th.\nThe September 19th trade festival will be held at Montpelier on Constitution Day, and you will be part of the team as we demonstrate the range of trade expertise of the enslaved at Montpelier to visitors at this all-day trade festival. During Constitution Day, you will experience the following:\n\nheritage furniture making with historian Jerome Bias. Jerome will demonstrate the construction of work benches and stools of the type that might have been utilized by the enslaved while performing various tasks and trades in the South Yard.\nheritage blacksmiths (Paul Fitz, Jeffery Mabry, Todd Woener, and the Central Virginia Blacksmith Guild). Visitors will learn about the rich blacksmithing traditions at Montpelier and why the Blacksmith shop was essential in enabling a young James Madison Jr. to dedicate his life to the creation of our nation. Blacksmith will be operating several forges where they will be making simple everyday items utilizing period blacksmithing tools and skills.\nparticipants will also experience an introduction to the principles of Log Cabin building with Craig Jacob’s team of Salvagewrights. In the afternoon, participants on the program will learn period hewing and notching skills necessary to turn logs into a dovetail notched structure. Archaeologists at Montpelier have found almost all of the buildings outside of the main house (and South Yard) were log structures.\nHIstoric Leatherworking with Lyslee Duncan. Lyslee will demonstrate the range of leatherworking that would have taken place at Montpelier during the 18th century. From the historic records, we know there was leatherworking at Montpelier taking the form of saddlery and horse tack.\n\nThis program is ideal for those who love working with their hands, appreciate traditional craftsmanship and like to enhance their skills for do-it-yourself (DIY) projects.  The program would also be useful for individuals who want to learn more about interpreting historical trades or how experimental archaeology can enhance our study of the past. If you are interested in taking part in the four-day trade program, see the following link ( https://www.montpelier.org/events/reconstruct-historic-trade-program/ ).\n \nCosts and Deposit\nCost: $300.00 for the day-long program\nDeposit: $100.00\nWe have payment options– a non-refundable deposit is all you need to reserve your space on one of our programs!\nNote:  We have scholarships for members of the Montpelier Descendants Committee. Please email dig@montpelier.org for more information.\nIf you have any questions, please email: Dig@montpelier.org ( mailto:Dig@montpelier.org )\n
URL:https://www.montpelier.org/events/trade-festival-carpentry-blacksmithing-and-log-cabin-construction/
CATEGORIES:Archaeology,Special Event
LOCATION:11350 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station, VA 22957
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.montpelier.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Blacksmithing-6n.jpg
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