These activities put an emphasis on the apprentice system. The concept of community, roles people have within the community and how these are changing, and how the Industrial Revolution has changed our lives are discussed. For safety reasons, all participants are asked to wear long sleeves, long pants and socks in these crafts, regardless of season and temperature.

Blacksmithing
Students go back into the 1800's to spend time in the life of a blacksmith's apprentice, doing chores such as pumping the bellows or hauling coal and hand forging their own piece of iron with instructor help. Fire building, use of coal and other natural resources, pollution, and the historical aspects of blacksmithing are topics which may be discussed.

Students will be able to:

• describe the terms and conditions of a blacksmith's apprenticeship, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages to both parties and the role of apprentices in colonial history;
• list the resources a blacksmith uses, categorizing renewable versus nonrenewable, and illustrating their path to a blacksmith's shop;
• describe the blacksmith's role in a colonial community, providing examples of products produced and reasons for the blacksmith's importance;
• create a blacksmithing project using the basic tools necessary for blacksmithing, taking pride in one's work and craft.

Tinsmithing
Using templates & various tools, students construct candle holders and similar items in our tinshop while they learn the history of the craft & its importance in the community before the age of plastics.

Students will be able to:

• describe the terms and conditions of a tinsmith's apprenticeship, highlighting the benefits and disadvantages for both the apprentice and the master tinsmith;
• describe the role of the tinsmith in a colonial community and list the useful products the tinsmith produced;
• discuss the value of tin as a natural resource, emphasizing the need for careful use and conservation of resources;
• create a tin project using the tools necessary for basic tinsmithing, taking pride in one's craft and work.

Broommaking Students use sorghum, wood & the methods of our predecessors to create their own period brooms. They will use draw shaves and schnitzelbanks to carve their handles from local saplings, and will work in teams to finish the craft.

Students will be able to:

• list the tools and resources necessary to make a broom and demonstrate their proper usage;
• describe the history of brooms and the family's role in broom making;
• create a broom for personal use, taking pride in one's craft and work.

Craft Choice
This option is useful for programs when you have more activity groups than periods. Each student will get one craft; please specify which crafts you would like offered, and whether it is STUDENT (groups will be split) or INSTRUCTOR (entire group does the same craft) choice. (See individual crafts for learner outcomes.)