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X-WR-CALNAME:Montpelier
X-WR-CALDESC:Explore History At Our House
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260916T000000
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DTSTAMP:20251114T102613Z
CREATED:20251114
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SUMMARY:Trade Expedition: Carpentry, Blacksmithing, and Log Cabin Construction
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a four-day hands-on educational experience in which you will work side-by-side with heritage blacksmiths, carpenters, 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.\nThe week will start with two and a half days of heritage-furniture making with historian Jerome Bias. Participants will work with Jerome to construct furniture such as crossbuck work benches and tables of the type that might have been utilized by the enslaved while performing various tasks and trades in the South Yard. These items will be utilised for future cooking programs and interpretation at Montpelier.\nThis event will culminate with the Sept 19th trade festival 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\n blacksmithing under the guidance of skilled heritage blacksmiths (Paul Fitz, Jeffery Mabry, and Todd Woener). Participants 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. There will also be the opportunity for participants to learn how to make simple everyday items utilising 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 in the program will learn period hewing and notching skills necessary to turn logs into a dovetail notched structure.\nparticipants will also be able to finish up the details on their crossbuck tables and benches.\n\nDuring the program, participants will be given tours of archaeological sites that provide the basis for the work being demonstrated in this week-long trade program. In addition, we will provide participants Zoom training sessions on these sites to understand the significance of the work they will be engaged.\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 either want to learn more about interpreting historical trades or learn more about how experimental archaeology can enhance our study of the past.\n \nCosts and Deposit\nCost: $800.00 for the week\nDeposit: $300.00\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/reconstruct-historic-trade-program/
CATEGORIES:Archaeology
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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