Ep 10. Handmade: Crafts of the 18th Century

In A Taste of History season 9 episode 10, viewers are taken on a journey through time to explore the fascinating world of handmade crafts in the 18th century. Host and culinary historian Walter Staib showcases the incredible skills of artisans from this era and demonstrates how their creations played an important role in everyday life.

The episode begins with a visit to the Wethersfield Historical Society in Connecticut, where Staib meets with a master tinsmith who creates beautiful and practical metal objects such as candlesticks, lanterns, and coffee pots. The tinsmith explains the laborious process of hand-hammering tin sheets into the desired shape, and viewers get a glimpse of the delicate artistry involved in creating simple yet elegant pieces that were an important part of household life in the 18th century.

Next, Staib heads to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia to meet with an expert weaver who uses a traditional loom to create beautiful fabrics with intricate patterns. The weaver explains the history of weaving and shows how a simple thread can be transformed into a stunning textile with the right combination of skill and creativity. Viewers will gain a new appreciation for the skill required to create cloth by hand, and how it was used to make everything from clothes to bedding to furniture coverings.

The episode also features a visit to Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, to explore the art of furniture making. Staib meets with a master craftsman who shows how traditional woodworking techniques were used to create stunning pieces of furniture that were both functional and beautiful. Viewers will be amazed at the level of detail and craftsmanship that went into creating everything from tables to chairs to bed frames, and how these pieces were an important part of daily life in the 18th century.

To round out the episode, Staib visits a gunsmith in Pennsylvania to learn about the artistry behind creating firearms by hand. The gunsmith demonstrates the precision and skill required to fashion each individual component of a flintlock rifle, and viewers will see how these weapons were used for hunting and defense in the colonial era.

Throughout the episode, viewers will gain a new appreciation for the incredible talent and creativity of artisans from the 18th century, and how their skills and creations helped shape everyday life in the early years of America's history. From simple metal objects to intricate fabrics to stunning pieces of furniture and weaponry, A Taste of History season 9 episode 10 explores the fascinating world of handmade crafts and the important role they played in colonial America.