The "Lititz Olden Days Observance: Part I - The Craftsmen" Story

The 1792 Johannes Mueller House on Main Street in Lititz, PA.

It was an ordinary day.  Parked the Mirage on Broad Street in Lititz and headed to Lititz's new History Festival.  It was back in 2013 that Lititz gained national notoriety when it was picked by Budget Travel Magazine as "America's Coolest Small Town." The award was given to a town with a population of 10,000 or less that had a certain quality that set it apart from all the rest of the smallest towns in the United States.  Lititz, Pennsylvania has a population of 9,369 and is located in Lancaster County, PA.  It was founded in 1756 by members of the Moravian Church, and for the next century only Moravians were allowed to live in Lititz.  It eventually was incorporated in 1888.  Linden Hall School for Girls dates back to 1746 and the Brethren's house on the campus of the Moravian church, served as a hospital during the American Revolutionary War.  I have written about the church, Linden Hall as well as the Brethren's house in the past.  The town occupies 2.3 square miles.  So, what else could the town do to draw tourists?  How about a History Festival?  

So, that's what the members of the Historical Foundation decided to hold!  And, as soon as I walked a few blocks east on Main Street after parking my car, I came upon the beautiful Johannes Mueller House.  Mr. Mueller was the town dyer when he built his home on Main Street in 1742.  It made the perfect place to hold the first ever Lititz Historical Festival.  I walked in the main door and was greeted by a few women dressed in Colonial garb who directed me to the rear of the house where a variety of artisans told of the methods used during the American Revolutionary era.  Crafts I saw included weaving, spinning, rug braiding, tin-smithing, ceramics, basketry, soap making and blacksmithing.  There was even a gunsmith on hand and an authentic Conestoga Wagon in the alley behind the house.   The house itself is meticulously preserved and restored and the grounds behind the home were the perfect place to hold the event.  Follow along as I show you some of the artisans and tell their stories.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The gunsmith talks about the flintlock rifle.

A few of his weapons were on display.

The tavern owner played a big part in the life of a Colonial town.  The tavern was the place for a drink, learn the latest gossip and even the post office in many small towns.  Gary Myers talked to me about the role of the tavern owner and explained the coinage system with the coins in the dish.  Coins were half silver and half gold.  They could be cut in half, quarters or eights and used to pay just about any purchase.

Here Gary tells me about patrons who wanted to smoke.  Most would bring their bowl with them and the tavern owner would fill the pipe with tobacco.

He also had a board similar to what would be found in a tavern.  On the board were listings of notices as well as mail may be tacked to it for patrons to see and pick up.

The wood carver was an important craftsman in a town.  This fellow is making a spoon on the device he made to hold the wood.

He could also carve bowls with a variety of chisels.

The tin smith was an important craftsman also.  Here is a candle holder made of  28 gauge tin plate.

He demonstrated putting the edge on the candle holder.

This gentleman made his own lathe using plans that would have been available in colonial America.  A few pieces were oak with the majority of the parts made of pine.  It was operated with foot power.

A set of plans for construction of the lathe.

The potter made bowls, mugs and pots used in the kitchen and for eating.  All work was done by hand.

Naturally, there had to be a musician.  He played the entire time and I don't remember hearing the same tune more than once.  Great job and he never took a break! 

The cigar maker was another important job in our new country.  Everything needed for making cigars  was on display.

This device was used for cutting the end of the cigar.

This gentleman was making woven belts.

The results were on display.

This young man was demonstrating blacksmithing.  He would heat the metal piece in the fire on the right.

He had a booklet for sale telling about the Conestoga Wagon which was known as the masterpiece of the blacksmith.  I read the name on the bottom of the book and recognized the name.  I asked the blacksmith if he knew the author, Arthur Reist.  "He's my dad!" he told me.  "He's down the steps next to the Conestoga Wagon."  I thanked him and headed down the steps for a reunion I will tell tomorrow.