WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - Colonial Williamsburg, an outdoor living museum dedicated to the 18th century, is holding its annual Working Wood in the 18th Century Conference virtually January 14-17, 2021. The event will offer on-demand and interactive livestreamed lectures and demonstrations, and exclusive looks at furniture and places rarely explored by the public.
“Back to Work: Functional Furniture for Home and Shop” guest-presenter highlights include:
- Renowned woodworker, author, and Lost Art Press founder Christopher Schwarz, exploring period techniques for work holding and building the staked seating furniture
- Woodworker, teacher, and Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking founder Bob Van Dyke guiding attendees through the construction and decoration of a Federal-era needlecraft work table; joined by upholster Mike Mascelli to explore techniques used to make the upholstered storage bags that traditionally hang from these tables.
- Keynote speaker Jeffrey Klee, vice president and senior director of architecture at Classical American Homes Preservation Trust, exploring the 18th century through the design, use, and evolution of buildings in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area and beyond
Presentations by members of Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Trades and other experts include:
- A panel discussion on black tradespeople – often omitted from the historical record – led by Journeyman Carpenter Ayinde Martin, Apprentice Carpenter Harold Caldwell and Journeyman Coach Driver Adam Canaday
- Master Cabinetmaker Bill Pavlak demonstrating a mahogany writing table with a ratcheting top and a drawer that includes its own ratcheting writing surface
- The Peyton Randolph House Kitchen Addition from the perspective of enslaved carpenters and laborers with Site Supervisor Janice Canaday and Master Carpenter Garland Wood
- Journeyman Supervisor Joiner Brian Weldy demonstrating reproduction of William Walters' traversing mandrel lathe
- Apprentice cabinetmakers John Peeler and Jeremy Tritchler examining an intricate mahogany apothecary’s chest from the London shop of Philip Bell
- Apprentice joiners Amanda Doggett, Scott Krogh, and Peter Hudson explore a handful of shop-made woodworking tools and fixtures
Registration is open through January 1 and is $175. Participants may also purchase a $22 voucher redeemable through Dec. 31, 2021 for a Colonial Williamsburg multiday pass, more than half off the current price of $45.99.
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