Handmade History, LLC: Where History is MADE

Handmade History, LLC: Where History is MADE Museum-quality craftmanship in carpentry, woodworking/carving, leathergoods, & reproductions specializing in 18th c. cooking/baking.

material culture; interactive living history craft/trade demonstrations, maritime/18th c. history-themed events, & sea shanty concerts. Handmade History LLC are historians focused on 18th century colonial and maritime history, cooking/foodways, and domestic life. We provide quality custom craftmanship in our recreations of 18th c. material culture, and carpentry, wood working, leather work, rope m

aking, cannon carriages, navigation tools, and reproduction trade and tavern signs are among the items we handcraft based on extensive research and documentation. As historians, we share the stories of colonial America’s working-class and tradespeople through the things they did, made, ate, and experienced. From demonstrating historic trades like ropemaking and coopering, to period cooking and medicine, to sea shanty concerts and sing-a-longs, we bring history to life in a way that is interactive, engaging, educational and entertaining! Competing as maritime living history group "The York Privateers" at Jamestown Settlement's highly competitive "Military Through the Ages," we received awards for "Best Camp,” “Best Field Demonstration,” and “Best Cooking,” as well as multiple additional awards for 18th century open-fire cooking. We also appeared as the "real pirates" for the "Real Pirates" special exhibit at the National Geographic Museum in DC, among many other appearances. See our “Photos" and "Albums" for a more detailed listing of the services, products, and reenactments/demonstrations we offer, which includes: custom woodworking, carpentry, leather work, and rope crafts, in addition to 18th century material culture and small goods reproductions, maritime living history, open hearth cooking demonstrations, period rope making, 18th century medicine, sewing and daily life, navigation and coopering, and "pirates/sailors for hire." We also teach classes in woodworking, carving, rush weaving, knife making, candle dipping, and open fire/18th c. Contact us today to make a purchase, place an order, book us for an event, or for a free consultation or quote. From candle lanterns to leather portmanteaus, to reproduction tavern tables and church benches, to heirloom gun cases and cannon carriages, and even traveling bars and carousel horses, if you can dream it, we can do it! We even make birdhouses, nesting boxes, charcuteries board, ink pens, and jewelry from reclaimed/repurposed woods and upcycled copper. We are members of the Living History Association and insured. Graduate of East Carolina University with a BS in Chemistry. Profits generated by our sales and services help support our Beagle rescue and re-homing mission—thank you! If you are looking to adopt or foster a rescued beagle, we recommend and support B.R.E.W. Mid-Atlantic, Bay Beach Beagle Rescue, and Beagles to the Rescue. Calamity Cards: Real Cards for Impossible Circumstances and Hearts and Crafts Soaps are Subsidiaries of Handmade History, LLC

Well this looks fun!
07/21/2026

Well this looks fun!

Your spouse called...
..and said it's finally time to clean out the shop.

Turn those tools you haven't used in years into cash, or come find the tool you've been searching for at someone else's price.

📅 Saturday, August 8
🕘 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Woodcraft Norfolk/Virginia Beach

✔ 12 tables available
✔ No fee to participate
✔ Open to everyone

Tables are first come, first served, so don't wait! Reserve yours by calling 757-466-1166 or emailing [email protected].

You never know what treasures you'll find... or what room you'll finally make in your shop.

We're pleased to say we survived the July 4th heat when even our dear Mr. Jefferson wilted. And lookie, here we are on t...
07/05/2026

We're pleased to say we survived the July 4th heat when even our dear Mr. Jefferson wilted. And lookie, here we are on the news! Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest for a wonderful 250th celebration!

Families gathered at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest on Friday to celebrate the Fourth of July in the backyard of one of the nation's Founding Fathers.

Here ye, here ye, it's me! (in the photo collage). Handmade History is soooo excited to make history tomorrow! No, not b...
07/04/2026

Here ye, here ye, it's me! (in the photo collage). Handmade History is soooo excited to make history tomorrow! No, not because the forecast is a record-setting 100°, but because we'll be celebrating 🥳 the 250th at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest!

Make plans to visit Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest tomorrow to meet all of the reenactors, craftspeople, and performers who are a part of our Independence Day Celebration! The event takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the Declaration of Independence will be read at 1:30 p.m.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit
www.poplarforest.org/event/independence-day-celebration-2026/

How many bows do you need to make for an official OpSail affiliate port event? ALL OF THEM!
06/19/2026

How many bows do you need to make for an official OpSail affiliate port event? ALL OF THEM!

This week's project was turning 15 pounds of Duroc pork belly into BACON! 🥓🥓🥓 After curing in a sweet and spicy bath of ...
06/05/2026

This week's project was turning 15 pounds of Duroc pork belly into BACON! 🥓🥓🥓 After curing in a sweet and spicy bath of maple, brown sugar, and fresh cracked pepper it was carefully massaged daily before spending an afternoon relaxing in the rich aroma of apple wood smoke . We aren't just make history, we're makin' bacon!

We bring Colonial foodways to life this Saturday with our interactive demonstration of 18th c. open fire cooking! Take a...
05/07/2026

We bring Colonial foodways to life this Saturday with our interactive demonstration of 18th c. open fire cooking! Take a turn churning butter, whipping cream, or helping with kitchen chores. Well, someone's gotta do it 😜. 10 -2 at the historic Upper Wolfsnare House. Free event!

We'll be cooking the foodways of spring in coastal Virginia in the 18th c. when "eat local" and "shop small" was every d...
04/28/2026

We'll be cooking the foodways of spring in coastal Virginia in the 18th c. when "eat local" and "shop small" was every day. History never smelled so good! Plus, visit a colonial tavern, enjoy historic house and garden tours, local vendors, and a food truck too. Hope to see you there! May 9, 10-2, at the historic Upper Wolfsnare House. FREE event.

Looking forward to a weekend with our mates The Defiant Crew at Yorktown Pirate Invasion - Pirates Invade Yorktown! Apri...
04/20/2026

Looking forward to a weekend with our mates The Defiant Crew at Yorktown Pirate Invasion - Pirates Invade Yorktown! April 25 & 26, 10-3. Find us on the green at Riverwalk. We'll be the ones dressed like pirates. LOL.

Had a great time at Patrick Henry's Scotchtown last Saturday! Thank you to everyone who came out to see us and support o...
04/18/2026

Had a great time at Patrick Henry's Scotchtown last Saturday! Thank you to everyone who came out to see us and support our work!

Tis the season...to make sugared violets! They make the cutest little garnishes. Planning to use them for an upcoming fo...
04/06/2026

Tis the season...to make sugared violets! They make the cutest little garnishes. Planning to use them for an upcoming foodways demo--details coming soon!

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P. O. Box 10184
Virginia Beach, VA
23450

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