Colonial Life & Trades
During colonial times jobs were based on skill. If you were skilled with wood you might me a cabinet maker, a cooper or a wheelwright. Your job also determined your importance in the community. A blacksmith was one of the most important jobs during colonial times. The more important your job was to the community the closer to the center of town your business was placed.
During this time period many people could also not read. So how did a business identify itself without using words? They used symbols. A blacksmith may hang a sign outside his sign outside his shop that depicted an anvil. What would other trade signs look like?
During this time period many people could also not read. So how did a business identify itself without using words? They used symbols. A blacksmith may hang a sign outside his sign outside his shop that depicted an anvil. What would other trade signs look like?
Project Resources
Colonial Trades Databases to Search:
- ScholasticGo
- World Book Kids
- Pebble Go Next
- Old Sturbridge Village
- National Geographic Kids - Virginia/Williamsburg
- Eat like a Colonist
- National Geographic - Early Colonial Life
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