Wheelwright Apprenticeship Opening 2023

 

The wheelwright shop’s primary role at Colonial Williamsburg is to build and maintain the fleet of work vehicles used throughout the Historic Trades department. Our standard products are carts, wagons, and wheelbarrows, however, we also build agricultural implements like plows and harrows, as well as early machines. A very important point is that we are actually doing this work for real – no demonstrations! – and that the vehicles we build are actually put to work. So while we may work in costume, we do not pretend to be in the 18th century, nor are we only pretending to do the work. The mission of the Historic Trades department in general is to preserve the pre-industrial 18^th century practice of all 26 trades represented here, and the best way to do that is by actually doing the work, for real. Working in a 18^th century manner means not only using hand tools to do our work, but trying to inhabit the minds of period craftspeople and learn, through experimentation, how they might have solved certain problems. Museums usually preserve objects and artifacts, at Colonial Williamsburg we preserve a process and a practice.

In addition to preserving the practice, we also are expected to interpret our trade to the public. During busy periods of the year, you can expect to spend half your time talking with folks about your work. To be an effective interpreter you must not only master the requisite benchwork but also possess a command of the history of the craft. Thus, there is a substantial amount of reading and research you are expected to do as a part of your apprenticeship. 

 

The Apprenticeship

Each trade shop here hosts a formal apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship is a multilevel curriculum where you are trained to do the work in a 18^th century manner as well as effectively interpret the work to the public. It is a full-time job with benefits. Starting pay for a first-level apprentice is $16/hour. Your pay throughout the apprenticeship is commensurate to your acquisition of various necessary skills and your progression through the curriculum. It generally takes from 3 to 6 years to complete the apprenticeship. Upon completion of the curriculum, you may become a journeyman in the shop where you will continue to practice the arts and mysteries of wheelwrighting for the foreseeable future. In other words, this opportunity can lead to a long-term career in historic trade.

 

 

What we are looking for

An ideal candidate is equally experienced in hand tool woodworking and explaining history and craft to the public. We are open to candidates who have not used hand tools before or have little experience working with wood. Conversely, if you have little experience working with or in front of the public, we also open to your application. While our shop is firmly footed in tradition and practice, we are also open to new ideas and experimentation. We are looking for a candidate who not only wants to master the craft but who wants contribute to the evolution of our shop. Please apply by December 1^st, 2023 with a resume and cover letter at www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/careers

 

Here's few more pictures from around the shop!