Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Old Economy Village 270 Sixteenth Street Ambridge, Pennsylvania 15003-2298 Telephone (724) 266-4500 Fax (724) 266-3010

DO YOU LIKE TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY?

Do you like working in the garden? How about working with children? Or working with museum artifacts? Or cataloguing books and photographs? If you are interested in any or all of these activities, we would like to invite you to bring your skills to Old Economy Village and volunteer. We have many other volunteer opportunities on site and we would be delighted to discuss them with you!

OPPORTUNITIES AT OLD ECONOMY VILLAGE

GARDENS: transplant seedlings, plant seedlings, make historic garden markers, prune trees and grapevines, maintain gardens, maintain compost pile, assist with storm damage clean-up, assist with garden tours based on your area of expertise OFFICE: assist with bulk mailings, typing, filing, organizing files, transcribe audio tapes of lectures for later publication MAINTENANCE: painting (fences, shutters, doors, etc.); make, assemble and finish wood lanterns, make reproduction window props EDUCATION: tour guide, craft demonstrator COLLECTIONS: accessioning (describing and labeling) collections, inventory, cleaning, typing accession cards, entering collections data into data base LIBRARY: assist volunteer librarian with cataloging books, typing cards (author, title, shelf and subject), shelving books, inventory, maintain periodicals MARKETING / SPECIAL PROMOTION place site literature at hotels, restaurants, local businesses, distribute posters prior to special events SPECIAL EVENTS: ticket sales, information booth, food line captain & crew, clean-up crew, set-up crew, tear down crew, take photographs to be used for publicity for subsequent events, video tape events for site history file. Video tape events for site history file, and assist with period demonstrations. OTHER: Perhaps you have a skill not listed above that you believe would be useful. If so, please let us know. For more information on volunteering at Old Economy Village, call (724) 266-4500 x108. Again, we would be very happy to discuss volunteering opportunities with you and to welcome you aboard! Click Here to Become a Volunteer 2008 Volunteers of the Year Cary Brant and Randy Wilkins serve as Blacksmiths at Old Economy Village. As Historic Tradesmen, they teach traditional skills and techniques amidst the period settings of Old Economy Village's historic buildings. Both Cary and Randy engage the public in the rudiments of blacksmithing using traditional tools and a coal-fired forge. They pass on their knowledge to all – from children visiting with their schools, visiting tourists, workshop attendees to special event participants.   Time and again, these volunteers worked until they were soaked in sweat from the hot August sun, singed from the heat of burning coals, or else frozen from December’s icy chill. Yet time and again, they have answered our call, willingly completing the task assigned or finding another Blacksmith to stand in their stead to meet the needs of the site. If Economy’s other historic craftsmen lack some resource, these innovative fellows are able to quickly accommodate the need, efficiently and effectively. As the historic blacksmith’s skills served diverse customers in the 19th century, so too do these two blacksmiths today.     Not only do Cary and Randy engage the public, but so too do their wives. Alice Brant and Elaine Wilkins each serve as apprentices to their husbands, faithfully pulling the bellows, digging for tools, serving as timekeepers and guides to these Master craftsmen and providing information on Blacksmithing to the public.    Members of the Pittsburgh Area Artist Blacksmiths Association, Cary and Randy’s craft demonstrations help preserve the traditions and technologies as they build an appreciation for this fleeting craft form, allowing young and old to participate.  Cary Brant and Randy Wilkins each are keepers of this legacy and work tirelessly to meet the demands and responsibilities associated with this work. Their selflessness and passion for blacksmithing is reflected in the intricate interpretation of the craft. The Friends and staff of Old Economy Village appreciate their efforts to provide quality demonstrations for our visitors and are proud to call Cary Brant and Randy Wilkins our Volunteers of the Year. 2008 Young Harmonist of the Year Our honoree is a 9th grade honor student at Ambridge Area High School. He plays alto sax in the Ambridge High School Marching Band and most recently performed at the Sugar Bowl, New Year’s Day in New Orleans. In school, he is also a member of the Jazz Ensemble, Steel Drums, the Interact Club, participates on the Track Team, and member of the German Club. In addition, he was in the ensemble of Ambridge High School’s Spring Musical “Star Mites” complete with blue, spiky hair. In the fall, he assists with a fund raising booth at his church’s festival. He joined our Young Harmonist group at Old Economy Village several years ago following his two older brothers. In the past year, at our special events he has become an apprentice to our printer, Frank Vogrin. On top of all of this, he is a truly nice person.  The Friends and staff of Old Economy Village are truly honored to have this young man, volunteering his time to help educate our visitors in the rich history that is found in the village.