Summary - 29th Annual Working Wood in the 18th Century: Out of the Woods, Into A Home: Building Communities in Two Centuries

It all starts with a tree: a house, its architectural ornament, its fine furniture. To celebrate 18th century craftsmanship and Colonial Williamsburg’s first century, this year’s conference will take us out of the woods and into a home as we trace how craftspeople transformed raw materials into the built environments that housed communities for centuries.

Several historic tradespeople will join forces for an opening keynote that will start with felling a tree and then explore how wood was processed, transported, bought, sold, and seasoned for different purposes.

Colonial Williamsburg’s carpenters, led by Matt Sanbury, will demonstrate period timber framing techniques as they cut joinery, and assemble and raise a wall. Brian Weldy and fellow joiners Ayinde Martin, Laura Hollowood, and EmmaLee Morgan will adapt an 18th century chimneypiece design, published by Abraham Swan, into something befitting the less ornate setting of a fine Williamsburg home. Moldings, miters, ornamental detail, and structural concerns will all take center stage as they bring a two-dimensional drawing into three-dimensional reality.

The cabinetmakers, in turn, will build pieces that closely align with the architectural design elements found in the joiner’s work. Journeyman John Peeler will reproduce a Virginia desk and bookcase with a solid pitch pediment. Master cabinetmaker Bill Pavlak will construct a marble top sideboard table originally made by Buckland and Sears in the 1760s with legs and carved ornament clearly inspired by printed architectural designs. 

Joining us from England, special guest Richard Arnold will share some of the many discoveries he’s made at the bench as a practicing joiner devoted to researching period tools and techniques. He will also lead us through the evolution of hand planes over the long 18th century, drawing on his experience as a leading collector, historian, and plane maker.

Of course, Williamsburg is not made from wood alone. Master blacksmith Aislinn Harris will survey the ironwork needed for a home, discuss its origins, and demonstrate techniques for making it. Master of Historic Masonry Trades Josh Graml and journeyman Madeleine Bolton will provide an introductory glimpse into brick and plaster work. Bolton will then join Bill Pavlak to demonstrate making composition molding from patterns he carves. 

Several lectures will provide context for the craft work unfolding on stage throughout the weekend. Jenn Wilkoski, Director, Grainger Department of Architectural Preservation and Research, will take attendees on a virtual tour of chimneypieces and design. Senior Curator of Furniture Tara Chicirda explores Colonial Williamsburg’s early years of furniture collecting and Senior Conservator Chris Swan will give an in-depth look into some recent furniture treatments. This year’s banquet keynote features Chief Mission Officer and furniture historian Ron Hurst who will share news of recent discoveries about the life and work of Peter Scott whose career as a cabinetmaker in Williamsburg spanned more than half of the 18th century.