A summer history program for lads and lasses aged 11 through 17
EXPLORE history at the Chadds Ford Historical Society by learning 18th century crafts and skills. This group of history buffs, grades 5th through 12th, help put the "story" back in history during our living history presentations. Each young person is encouraged to learn how people in 18th century Chadds Ford lived. This is accomplished with participation in hands-on activities such as sewing 18th century clothing, producing trim using lucets and tape looms, spinning, making candles, and learning colonial dances.  Junior guides may visit with 18th century reenactors, both civilian and military, observe bread being prepared and baked in the beehive oven, and assist with the preparation of a meal cooked on the open hearth. Other activities include learning the art of historic interpretation by giving tours of the John Chads House and Barns-Brinton House.

Junior Guides will have an opportunity to experience different colonial crafts. Recent programs have included:

 - Textile Crafts (cross-stitching, knitting, sewing a sampler, and making a quilt)
 - Washing & dyeing wool
 - Whittling
 - Basket making
 - Soap making
 - Traditional lime mortar wall building
 - Colonial quill writing
 - 18th century games
 - Historical topics (18th century livestock, life in a Revolutionary War Camp,
     Wash Day, and the study of historical pottery)

The program begins with sewing sessions in April and continues throughout the summer. Each yearly session culminates in a demonstration of what the Junior Guides have learned during Chadds Ford Days and other local events in the fall.

Come Join The Fun!

Please call 610-388-7376 for brochure and registration form or download here.

Junior Guides and Demonstrators 2008 Schedule

 

A Junior Guide in garb at the Barns-Brinton House.

Junior Guides exhibit dancing skills at the Chadds Ford Elementary School's History Night.

 

 

Junior Guides and Demonstrators
2008 Schedule

 


March 29 - Organizational Meeting and Registration

Location: Barn Visitors Center : 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Learn about the fun and exciting activities that Junior Guide and Demonstrators will be involved in 2008. The meeting includes registration, refreshments and a review of the year’s activities. Supply lists will be handed out. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend.

Sew Your Own Garb Classes

All classes are held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the CFHS Barn Visitors Center . Upon receipt of your registration you will receive a supply list for the classes for which you have registered. The classes listed below are for men’s and women’s clothing. Young men will also require breeches.  Although all Junior Guides will require 18th century style clothing for meetings and events, that clothing can be sewed by the junior Guide, sewed for the Junior Guide or be purchased.  Some families choose to purchase some items and make others.  Please contact the office for more information.

 

April 5 – Basic Stitchery, Apron, Kerchief & Cravat                                 

Learn basic sewing techniques including hand stitching and piecing fabric to create your own eighteenth century style clothing. The apron (in 2 different styles) protected the clothing of men and women while they worked. Kerchiefs were worn around the necks of ladies and gentlemen.  Instead of kerchiefs, some gentleman wore cravat around their throats.

 

April 12 – Bodice, Shortgown and Waistcoat

The bodice is the top of the lasses’ gown. A shortgown is the equivalent of today’s blouse and was worn over a woman’s shift and petticoats. A waistcoat resembles a vest and was worn over a man’s shirt. Lasses need either a gown OR a shortgown and petticoat.

 

April 19 – Petticoat or skirt for gown (lasses only)     

Petticoats are what modern people would call a long skirt. Colonial women wore at least 2 petticoats and a dozen would provide warmth in the winter, if the lady was fortunate enough to own that many. Lasses wore a petticoat under their gowns, this will also provide the skirt for the lasses’ gowns.

 

April 26 – Shift or Shirt                                      

A shift acted as a lady’s undergarment and nightgown. A shirt was the male equivalent.

 

May 3 – Cap, pocket and finishing                       

Sew important accessories for 18th century women and finish assembly of the back closing gown (lasses only) using bodice and petticoat skirt or work to finish any other garb.

Junior Guide Summer Program – 2008

Shadow experienced guides and learn to give tours and learn/demonstrate various 18th century skills. All sessions will be held on Saturdays or Thursdays from 1 to 4 pm except as noted. All activities will be held in Colonial-style clothing.

 

May 17 (Sat.) Paper making, lucet, and rug braiding - John Chads House

May 24 (Sat.) Doll making & guiding - Barns-Brinton House

June 7 (Sat.) Open hearth cooking -  Barns-Brinton House

June 19 OR 21 Beehive oven baking - (1-5:00p.m.) John Chads House

July 12 (Sat.) Colonial chocolate - Barns-Brinton House

July 19 (Sat.) Make a colonial kite - Barn Visitors Center

July 24 (Thurs.) All about quilting - Barn Visitors Center

August 16 (Sat.) Colonial power: On the hoof - Barn Visitors Center

 

Events

Please pre-register for the following events.

Chadds Ford Days - Sept. 6 & 7

Sat. 10 to 5 pm and Sun. 10 to 5 pm

Candlelight Christmas - Dec. 6

Barns-Brinton House from 1 to 6 pm

 

 

Additional forms...

Junior Guides Registration Form
Medical Release Form
Photo Release Form