This blog follows the reconstruction of the Revolutionary War Public Armoury on the James Anderson site
Reconstruction of the Blacksmith's & Public Armoury
July 5, 2012
And Now for Something Completely Different
While our Armoury Blog has necessarily directed attention to the Armoury Project, Meredith and I thought that our readers and followers might share interest in a different but related Colonial Williamsburg project. For those of you who wander the Colonial Williamsburg Blogs, you may already be familiar with our cannon project. While independent of the Armoury project, the long term association will be obvious.
As our readers are well aware, Colonial Williamsburg is heavily involved in archaeological investigation of Williamsburg and its environs. But many of us in Historic Trades are also involved in what might be termed a sort of “experimental archaeology”. While Meredith, Andy, Matt, Lucie, Loretta, Jeff, and Wes are busy excavating remains of the past, tradespeople are busy applying the findings of our research in recreating the working environments of their eighteenth century workshops. The Armoury is a prime result of that effort, and the daily operation of the shop is the “experimental” part. We try to recreate the activity, environment, processes and products of a different time to learn what we can about the tools, the materials, the products, and how the interaction of economics, technology, material science, and object use in the eighteenth century affects the design, construction, and application of material culture. By understanding these interactions, we produce a better end product- both in the objects that we make, and in the educational programming that we offer.
Another such effort is our current cannon project. For many years, the brass founders have operated a shop on the Geddy property off of Palace Green, across from Bruton Parish Church. The majority of their work involves relatively small castings- from a few ounces to a couple of dozen pounds. Their products and activities reflect mostly peacetime work prior to the Revolution, typical of a small family- run gunsmith and brass founder’s shop. In addition to firearms and brass work, David and William Geddy advertised that they did cutler’s work- knives, swords, razors and the like. While James Anderson was the primary armourer in the city, the Geddys were also contracted by the Committee of Safety to maintain and modify firearms for wartime use. Interestingly, archaeological investigation carried out in the 1970s by legendary Director of Archaeology Ivor Noël Hume uncovered remnants of tar and feathers from the site as well.
A few years ago, members of the Trades Department began to explore the possibility of recreating a light three pounder, a small mobile cannon designed for infantry support and known to have seen service in North America during the Revolution. We knew that we could make the gun carriage, its limber, and the host of gear that was associated with the gun, but we had never attempted to cast anything as large as the bronze barrel. We had produced bronze castings of several dozen pounds, but this light three-pounder would require a pour of nearly seven hundred pounds.
The whole project required a furnace on a scale that we did not have, and skills that we knew we had on a small scale, but which we were not sure would transfer directly to the larger operation. The project has been pursued with financial support from the Frederickson Foundation, and with technical assistance from metalworkers from Newport News Shipbuilding, who have plenty of experience with large castings. Imagine the irony here- metalworkers from perhaps the most advanced shipbuilding operation in the world, assisting us with trying to recreate a technology from 230 years ago.
We have made 4 attempts at casting to date, beginning with two attempts on a smaller gun, and two attempts of the full sized gun. With each attempt, we get closer to success, and learn a lot about making the molds required and operating a furnace on this scale. You can learn more about our work on this project, and see photos and videos of the work at our cannon blog;
Funded by a generous gift from Forrest E. Mars Jr., of Big Horn, Wyoming.
iCitizenForum
Christine Hansley says:
Good Morning Everyone,
I hope all had a great 4th of July. I know most of you had to work, but we appreciate you bringing history to life. Wish we could have been there.
Have you had any detrermination on the problems from the last pour? When do you expect to try again?
And again, I would like to thank the folks at Newport News Shipbuilding, the Frederickson Foundation and all the other folks who freely gave knowledge for the continued support in the project. And of course Mr. Mars. Time for my Dark Chocolate Peanut M’s fix.
Tar and feathers? Does this mean the area was used for punishment of some sort? Please let us know what you find out. I find it hard to believe that tar and feathers have anything to do with metalworking or guns??
Have a good day,
Chris
Kenneth Schwarz says:
Christine- Our problem on the last pour was a crack that developed in the furnace, which allowed a significant amount of the liquid bronze to flow out prior to the pour. When we tapped the furnace, the bronze flowed out perfectly, but we had lost a significant quantity through the leak and the quantity remaining in the furnace did not fill the mold. We will need to inspect the furnace interior, assess the fractures in the melting chamber, make the necessary repair and proceed from there. We will communicate the date for our next attempt via the cannon blog.
Finding tar and feathers at the Geddy site is intriguing, as tar and feathers were used in public humiliation and punishment of political opponents during the years of the revolution. Archaeologically, we cannot tell if this means that the Geddys were invloved in a tar and feathering incident or not. The Geddy family’s prominence in the local political arena, and their involvement in weapons work for the Committee of Safety, combined with the presence of tar and feathers spurs the imagination, though. It is this association with revolutionary politics that makes this find interesting.
Mary Anne Blackburn says:
I was also wondering what the reference to tar and feathers was supposed to mean?
Kenneth Schwarz says:
Mary Anne- see my response to Christine’s comments above. Tar and feathers are associated with political threats and intimidation during the Revolutionary period. Could this mean that the Geddys participated in a tar and feather incident? We may never know, but the speculation about that possibility is interesting.
Jim H. says:
I have been watching the construction of the metal parts of the carriage with interest when I have stopped by the shop. Chris was kind enough to explain how the different parts while work on the wooden part. Can’t wait to see it all come together.
Keep up the good work!
Kenneth Schwarz says:
Thanks, Jim. The vehicle hardware is coming along nicely, and should be complete soon. Our next project with the wheelwrights will be mounting some light artillery (mortars) on wooden bases. We have begun that hardware, and we await delivery of the mortars in order to fit the hardware properly.
Mimi says:
Thanks for the link-neat to watch. What kind of backgrounds (skill and education) do most historic tradespersons have? Are there persons who have been doing their historical trade their whole career? Is this a second career or “fun in retirement” kind of thing? My dad had always talked about blacksmything at an historical site, but never did.
Kenneth Schwarz says:
Mimi- Members of the Historic Trades Department come from many different backgrounds. In the Armoury, for instance, most of the shop members have prior background as blacksmiths, either working on their own in private businesses, working for other smiths, of working in other museums. Our newest apprentice, Aislinn, did some work as a blacksmith in another historic site, and developed a sincere interest in the trade. She just finished a four year degree program in Architectural Wrought Iron work at a college in South Carolina, and joined us shortly after after graduation. (She was class valedictorian. We try to hire the best!)
In many other trades, it is difficult to find applicants with any experience- wheelwrights, coopers, and wigmakers using traditional eighteenth century methods are scarce, for example. In the blacksmith’s trade, there has been a revival of interest in the past thirty years, making it relatively easy to find folks with some experience.
The other challenging component of finding suitable employees is the public contact part. A good blacksmith who hates interacting with people will not succeed here. We have to find folks with the ability to swing a hammer and to communicate efficiently with our guests. A good interpreter needs to be able to process an immense amount of information, and then lead a clear, concise discussion with the folks who visit us. It is a unique set of skills.
Christine Hansley says:
Hi Dig Crew,
There must be something in the Virginia ground this season. I just read that the crew up at Mount Vernon are following two old fence lines that are under the most modern(current) third, in the laundry yard. Do you folks ever compare notes with the other historical archaeologists at Mount Vernon, Monticello, Jamestowne and Poplar Forest? I’d love to be able to listen to those conversations. Any chance of having a program/panel discussion with a crew member from each site presenting their findings, comparisons and differences? That would be very interesting.
If it’s any consolation, is was hotter in Chicago than in Williamsburg the past few days. Hot and humid with 100 degree plus temps. Stay cool and safe in this heat. Go sit on the kitchen floor with “Lady” Eleanor if she will allow it.
Have a good weekend,
Chris
Meredith Poole says:
Hi Chris!
Thanks for keeping tabs on us, with or without the roving webcam! Fencelines are a fact of archaeological life. They are not always the most stimulating features to excavate (those fenceposts seem to follow one on top of the other, without much variation!) but we can learn a lot from them. Knowing the location of the edges of our “archaeological universe” is just one of those things.
We do compare notes with other archaeological entities. Our partnership with Historic Jamestowne has strengthened that association with our nearest neighbors. And in the summer, we often have visits from other archaeological field schools. In the fall, the Jamestown Conference (a 1-day event in Williamsburg) provides the opportunity for each of us to present .. very informally.. the results of our summer work.
As you say, this has been a very hot week, no matter where you live! Eleanor spent all of yesterday in the middle of our site (occupying the precious space BETWEEN postholes) hoping for a bit more cool than the kitchen floor could provide on baking day!
Ron Trabandt says:
Hi Meredith,
In a recent blog you made the following statememt:
“In the fall, the Jamestown Conference (a 1-day event in Williamsburg) provides the opportunity for each of us to present .. very informally.. the results of our summer work.”
Do you know the exact date, time and place ‘the Jamestwon Conference’ will be held?
Hope to see the webcam up and running soon on the archaeological site.
Ron Trabandt
Meredith Poole says:
Hi Ron~
There are no “exacts” when it comes to the Jamestown Conference…but there are traditions. It is traditionally held on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, and (although once held out at Jamestown Island) a more recent tradition has been to hold it in the Lane Auditorium at Colonial Williamsburg’s Bruton Heights Education complex. The conference lasts all day with talks from early morning until about 4. If you think you’d like to take this on, please check back with me closer to the date.
Jim H. says:
With all of the work at the Armoury and Tinsmith shop, is there another metalworking conference in Williamsburg in the future? I could not attend the last one in 2008, but would like to see another.
Kenneth Schwarz says:
Jim- I am certain that the Armoury project will be cause for another metalworking conference. At this point, we have not made any plans, as we still have another year and a half of constructionon the site. Once construction is complete and the new complex is fully operational, I would anticipate a conference to share what we have all learned with the project. Keep watching…….
Jim H. says:
Ken, you bet I will keep watching! I don’t want to miss the next one. How goes the search for a tinsmith?
Christine Hansley says:
Good morning Armoury Crew and Dig Crew,
I just read and enjoyed very much the two articles about the Armoury and Kitchen in the August Issue of “Early American Life” magazine. I’m glad to see CW projects get national magazine attention. Even though the readership is a little on the limited side, maybe someone who has been interested in say Boston may become interested in CW after reading these atricles. Have you tried getting coverage in history, metal working, archaeological and some specific hobby magazines? These are just some suggestions to spread the word about CW. It’s amazing how many people I talk to about CW, who never heard of the place. I get the “what’s there, just some old buildings” look. Then my husband says I get wound up and don’t shut-up.
Keep up the great work.
Have a great day,
Chris
Robin says:
Hello,
My husband and I were wondering what is happening at the Capitol right now? Appears that there is a protest of some sort and police presence. Thanks!
John Montague says:
I noticed the same thing, now just yellow tape. Curious!
John
Kenneth Schwarz says:
Robin and John- Colonial Williamsburg is the site of the National Governor’s Association meeting today. You are spotting activity related to the Governor’s meeting at the Capitol building this morning.
Jane Tressel says:
New camera. Better lens. Very nice. ツ
Meredith Poole says:
Jane~
It wasn’t easy! Finding a camera with wi-fi that could be used outdoors was quite a challenge. In the end we moved te Armoury webcam (which had those qualities) outside to take the place of the Roving Webcam, and got a new camera for the Armoury. All worked out, but keep your fingers crossed for the health of the Roving Webcam. It’s (apparently) irreplaceable!