This event has passed.

The 28th Annual Working Wood in the 18th Century

Name: The 28th Annual Working Wood in the 18th Century
Start: 2026-01-24T08:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-01-24T20:00:00-05:00
Location: Hennage Auditorium in the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg

« All Events

Event Series (See All)

January 24 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

The 28th Annual Working Wood in the 18th Century

United We Sit: Exploring Early American Chairs

📅Jan. 22-25, 2026
📍Hennage Auditorium

Chairs tell stories—of place, time, and the people who made and used them. This year’s Working Wood in the 18th Century explores six chairs from different periods and cultural traditions, united by the shared human need for a good place to sit.
Spanning the colonial era through the early years of nationhood, the program highlights early American chairmaking through green woodworking, carving, turning, joinery, design, and upholstery. Distinguished guest speakers and expert staff from Colonial Williamsburg will share insights into both technique and history.
Highlights include a Windsor chairmaking summit with Elia Bizzarri and Curtis Buchanan; a deep dive into a pre-Revolutionary Philadelphia rococo side chair with Ray Journigan; an exploration of Thomas Day’s North Carolina shop with Jerome Bias; and an opening keynote by Daniel Ackermann on mid-18th-century Annapolis chairs.
Colonial Williamsburg artisans and scholars will also demonstrate Campeche chairs, Boston baroque armchairs, traditional upholstery and slip seats, rush-seat weaving, period planecraft, and the evolution of historic trades at Williamsburg.Designed for beginners and experienced woodworkers alike, the program also features hands-on and behind-the-scenes pre-conference activities. In-person and virtual options are available. Registration ends Jan. 2, 2026. For more information, see here.

Dates & Times: