A Walk Through Williamsburg

Capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1780 Restoration began in 1926 John D. Rockefeller, Jr. A view of how Americans lived in 1774

“Living History”

The Palace of the Royal Governor was where the power and wealth of the British Empire was on display to the people of Virginia.

A walk through Williamsburg reveals that America was built with wood

Estimated 3.4 million miles of fence existed in America in 1850

Virginia, Zigzag, or Snake Fence

Plank Fences

Post and Rail Fence

“As early as 1750 Peter Kalm made the dire prediction that the forest in Pennsylvania would last only another 40 to 50 years if the zigzag fence continued to be built.” Michael Williams, Americans and Their Forests (p. 75)

Fuel

Fuel was readily available and the natural byproduct of clearing land Cutting, splitting, and gathering firewood was labor intensive. Farmers typically cut wood in the winter when other farm work could not be done. In towns and cities, firewood was brought in from the countryside by farmers or wood dealers Silversmith Shop

Typically, small trees were cut for fuel – avoiding knotty or twisted stems. Hardwoods are typically denser than softwoods, producing more heat and burning longer. Softwoods also produce sparks and form creosote in the chimney creating a fire hazard Wythe House Kitchen

Adapting to a scarcity of resources In 1775, firewood was scarce in the Williamsburg area and had to be shipped from farther west. The Anderson Blacksmith Shop turned to coal.

“Every craftsman in a village shop of 1776 had preferences in wood species.” The Colonial Craftsmen Youngquist and Fleischer, Wood in American Life (p. 35) Printer

In eastern New England and New York and the tidewater south, English-style timber frame buildings covered with clapboards were favored over the frontier log cabin. (Randolph House)

Carriages, coaches, shays, wagons, buckboards, carts Carriage shop (not at Williamsburg) Body of carriage: ash, cherry, yellow-poplar Wheels and running gear: hickory and maple Paneling: butternut

The Wheelwright Hubs were made of American elm Spokes and wheels were made of oak and ash Later wheelwrights discovered the usefulness of hickory

The Coopers

“The unglamorous yet versatile cask of the 1700s was as necessary, varied, and unremarkable as today’s cardboard box.” Ed Crews, “Making circles” Colonial Williamsburg, Autumn 2003, pp

“Slack Cooperage” Red oak, maple, elm, ash, hickory, chestnut, and pine All but pine are hardwoods. Hardwoods contain, large, specialized, fluid-transport cells known as “vessel elements” or “pores.”

White Oak – “Tight Cooperage” The pores of white oak, a hardwood, are blocked with a honeycomb-like structure called “tyloses.” The tyloses make the wood impermeable. White oak is an ideal wood for barrels that contain liquids.

Basketmaker

The Gunsmith

Rifling Machine

Curly maple was the preferred wood for gunstocks Also used cherry & walnut Stocks finished with “Nitrate of Iron” – 1 part nitric acid, 3 parts water, and iron filings

Hay Cabinet Shop

Furniture makers in small towns were “generalists” who constructed plain furniture much like that constructed in the 17th century and often constructed houses and many other wood products.

In cities, the craftsmen were more specialized – joiners, turners, cabinetmakers, chair-makers, upholsterers, and carvers. (Colonial Williamsburg Journal)

Rocking Chair Used species of wood Rockers of black walnut would not creep forward like maple or hickory made slick by wear No glue or nails were available so seasoned parts would be inserted into parts of green wood so that the joint would tighten as the parts dried

“Since properties of woods change with weather by warping and contracting or expanding, it was a fine art to match woods acting in opposite ways to keep joints tight.” W.G. Youngquist and H.O. Fleischer, Wood in American Life [p. 30]

American furniture makers followed European styles and used familiar species – oak, elm, maple, pine, and walnut – especially walnut. Imported mahogany was also used by the more elegant furniture makers. American species began to find favor in the 18th century – yellow-poplar and black cherry.

“The fine furniture of the 18th century illustrates the fact that wood articles could be not only well made but also of high artistic quality.” Youngquist and Fleischer, Wood in American Life (p. 37)

Harpsichord Maker

Kirkwood Harpsichord Governor’s Palace

The harpsichord was one of the most complicated musical instruments made from wood, but it was not the only one Violins, mandolins, and other stringed instruments Fifes Drums

Spinning and Weaving Spinning and flax wheels were constructed by carpenters Hardwoods: beech, maple, oak, ash

Weaving looms were constructed of hardwoods or pine Shuttles were of persimmon, maple, birch, dogwood or other dense, fine- grained wood Dyes were often made from bark or roots of trees

Items made from wood may be found throughout Williamsburg as they were throughout early America

Wood may be found in the shops

…in the most “necessary” places Wythe House “necessaries”

…in the taverns Raleigh Tavern

…in its high public places General Court of Virginia – The Capitol

…in its finest houses Wythe House

…and in the projects of the future Great Hopes Plantation

“In retrospect life in early America was not only made possible, but it was made beautiful by wood.” Youngquist and Fleischer, Wood in American Life (p. 58) Randolph House