Upcoming 2019-20 Artisan Workshops

Historic Sewing 102: Make a Knapsack 
Saturday, Nov. 16 - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
Join a Museum educator to make your own replica knapsack – the backpacks that soldiers carried during the Revolutionary War. Begin with a special examination of the Museum’s re-creation of the knapsack and contents that belonged to Sgt. John Hawkins and then learn the basics of eighteenth-century hand sewing. No prior sewing experience is required in this workshop suitable for adults and families with children ages 8 and up.

Needlework 102: Make an Irish Stitch Pocketbook 
Saturday, Jan. 25 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join a Museum educator for a special tour of the Museum’s Galleries, which feature two remarkable embroidered pocketbooks. Then, try your hand at Irish stitch and craft a replica pocketbook to take home. No prior sewing experience is required in this workshop suitable for adults and families with children ages 10 and up. The workshop ticket includes a voucher for lunch in the Museum’s Cross Keys Café. This program is being presented with the cooperation of the Philadelphia Area Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America.

Historic Sewing 101: Make a Heart Pincushion
Saturday, Feb. 8
In this drop-in workshop (plan to spend a half an hour), participants can make a copy of the fashionable heart-shaped pincushion that many women wore tied to their waist in the 18th century. Learn the fundamentals of 18th century dress and what it reveals about the Revolution in this hands-on workshop. Spend the day learning traditional skills and working with your hands, beginning with a close look at objects in the Museum’s Galleries as inspiration for your own creations. Then, try your hand at creating your own replica to take home. Learn tricks of the 18th century trades and meet others while discovering new talents in making and doing. No prior sewing experience is required in this drop-in workshop suitable for adults and families with children ages 6 and up.
Included in Museum Admission

Hornwork 201: Make a Powder Horn
Saturday, March 14 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In 1778, Gershom Prince, an African American soldier, was killed in the Battle of Wyoming. He carried an engraved powder horn that survives today in the collection of the Luzerne County Historical Society and is currently on display at the Museum of the American Revolution. In this hands-on workshop, join a Museum educator for a special tour of the Galleries that highlights Prince's horn and other examples. Then, learn how to convert a cow’s horn into a container for black powder. You’ll file it down to create decorative sides and learn how to etch designs into it. No prior experience is required in this workshop suitable for adults and young adults. The workshop ticket includes a voucher for lunch in the Museum’s Cross Keys Café and is offered in partnership with the Luzerne County Historical Society.