Apprenticeship Master Program

This program is open to persons of any age, but in particular to young people between the ages of ten and sixteen who desire to learn and become proficient in an early American skill.

Mission Statement:

It is the purpose of this program to foster and teach skills and crafts, which were important to the everyday life of Pennsylvania, and in particular, the Warrior Run Area in the 18th and 19th centuries. By bringing together persons skilled in a particular area and young persons who wish to learn that skill, the Heritage Society will support in any way possible the development of this program.

There are three steps involved in this program: Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Craftsman.

Apprentice:

  1. An apprentice must be a member of the Heritage Society.
  2. An apprentice shall serve a period of three to five years learning a skill under the direction of a Journeyman or a Master.
  3. The apprentice shall be responsible for independent study, as well as the development of skills under the guidance and directions of the Master.  Prior to Heritage Days, the apprentice shall be responsible to do some basic research within their chosen area.  A folder must be kept by the apprentice of all research sites visited and related activities in their field of study for review with the Journeyman/Master.
  4. Sheep To Show SuccessDuring their apprenticeship, the apprentice will work two full days annually at Heritage Days with a Journeyman or Master.  During the first year, the apprentice will be responsible to watch and listen to the Journeyman/Master and do minor tasks assigned to them.
  5. During the second and third year of apprenticeship, the apprentice shall continue to maintain their folder, which shall show evidence of further research.  The apprentice will also continue to expand their skills and begin to demonstrate and explain their craft to visitors at Heritage Days.  This will continue and become even more involved in the fourth and fifth years of apprenticeship if the Journeyman/Master deems it necessary.
  6. apprentice4A certificate of Journeyman status shall be given to all apprentices at the end of their apprenticeship, which shall show the number of years served and the skill attained.

Journeyman:

  1. A journeyman must be a member of the Heritage Society.
  2. A journeyman is anyone who has successfully completed an apprenticeship as determined by a Master, and/or has shown proficiency in their chosen craft or trade, and can work independently without direction of a Master.
  3. A journeyman will be responsible to acquire a costume appropriate to the trade and time period that they portray.
  4. A journeyman must recruit at least one apprentice and pass on their skill or craft.
  5. During their period of service, a journeyman shall continue to research their trade, demonstrate at Heritage Days, and continue to acquire additional knowledge and skills.  They shall also continue to update their folder of all research and activities in their chosen field.
  6. apprentice5After a period of not less than two years as a journeyman, the journeyman may petition the Warrior Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society Board of Directors for Master status.  This petition shall include a presentation of their research and a review of the folder for significant activity in their chosen field.  This petition shall include recommendation by the journeyman’s Master and it shall become the property of the Heritage Society.  If appropriate, an example of the journeyman’s work or masterpiece.

Master:

  1. A master shaapprentice3ll be responsible for maintaining high standards in the teaching, development, and demonstration of their trade.
  2. A master shall be responsible for recruiting apprentices and journeymen in their trade.
  3. A master shall, when feasible, acquire and maintain the tools of their trade.
  4. Master status is understood to carry the responsibility of historical accuracy in teaching apprentices and journeymen and encouraging them to develop their skills.
  5. Masters are encouraged, but not required, to be members of the Heritage Society.
  6. It is expected, but not required, that a master will provide an article of clothing or a tool of the trade to all journeymen when they achieve master status.

Anyone interested in applying for the Apprenticeship Program contact Francie Appleman at wfappleman@windstream.net.

Skills To Foster

The skills listed below are not all-inclusive.

Farming
Blacksmithing
Apple Culture
Coopering
Flax Culture
Spinning
Gardening
Weaving
Tinsmithing
Hearth Cooking
Rope Making
Butchering
Rug Making
Woodworking
Clear Toys
Basket Making
Music
Carpentry
Woodcarving
Masonry
Tatting
Early Industries
Butter Making
Broom Making
Tanning
Pump Making
Hat Making
Sheep Culture
Fraktur
Whitesmithing
Quilting
Wheelwright
Baking
Timber Framing
Pottery
Shingle Making
Beekeeping
Soap Making
Toys and Games
Genealogy
Reenacting
Calligraphy
Tobacco Culture
Lace Making