The Amish continue to practice Old World activities in modern times.
The term Old World refers to the time period spanning the 19th century. Old World activities include the hand-processing of wool, certain methods of food preparation, horse-drawn plows that worked the fields and more. In modern times, tourist attractions, such as Old World Wisconsin in the city of Eagle, Wisconsin, and Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, allow people to experience Old World-activities firsthand.
Wool Processing
The wool of sheep kept Colonial settlers warm through rough winters.
During the 19th century, wool was sheared from sheep in the spring and then carded. Carding is the act of teasing or straightening wool. Once carded, the wool was spun on spinning wheels or with a spindle to produce yarn. Yarn was then used to create a number of items, including knitted clothes and elaborate braided rugs, to help keep individuals and their homes warm.
Food Processing
Canning helped to ensure the settlers' survival through droughts.
During the Old World time period, vegetables, fruits and grains were regularly grown at home in gardens and prepared with hand-powered tools to create dinners large enough to feed the folks who had been working the fields all day. Depending on the style of home built, dishes were cooked on wood stoves or outside in large kettles above open fires. Excess food was preserved through various methods, including drying, pickling, canning and salting, to ensure that there would be food in times of winter or drought. Bread was made from scratch on a daily basis.
Pottery
Many of Old World dishes were made by 19th-century craftsmen.
Craftsmen of the 19th century would dig for clay near riverbeds and wash it thoroughly to remove impurities. Once purified, the clay was placed on an early form of the potter's wheel and shaped with wet hands into items such as cups, bowls, vases and plates. It was then set aside to dry. After the piece was dry, it was glazed with a mixture of metallic salts and sand, and placed in a kiln to be fired. A kiln is a large oven that can reach temperatures of around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Blacksmithing
By 1830, blacksmith tradesmen were beginning to lose work and being forced to find new trades.
Iron workers, also known as blacksmiths, sculpted iron and steel into useful items, including cooking utensils, farm tools and horseshoes. In order to do so, the blacksmith would heat the metal over an extremely hot fire and then hammer it into shape while it was still red-hot. In order to produce the requisite heat to temper steel, the fire was traditionally fueled by charcoal. Like many Old World activities, blacksmithing was an art taught to young men by other blacksmiths.
