Historically, apprenticeship was a key element of a person’s education. In an apprenticeship, an amateur was given the opportunity to learn the finer points of a craft under the direction of a master tradesman. In fact, craftsmanship is fundamental to some classical education models. The reason? Craftsmanship promotes mastery, and mastery is a process. Master of one skill or trade, and you can apply the process to other areas. Craftsmanship also promotes timeless values such as patience, integrity, industry, and humility. Perhaps important in the 21st century, traditional crafts help people get out of their ideas, and into reality.

Below, you can browse a collection of online resources compiled to introduce people to historic crafts. Why these crafts? Each was historically common on the American frontier and has practicality in the modern world. It’s not a comprehensive list, but a starting place for interested people. Most of the links will take you to collections of YouTube videos on the subject. YouTube University is an okay place to start. However, after finding a craft you enjoy and show ability in, it’s a good idea to seek advice from a professional. Hopefully, in the future, we can provide some of those contacts on this website.