Somerset keeps historic trades alive with Mountain Craft Days

SOMERSET, Pa. (WTAJ) — Visitors to the Somerset Historical Center are getting a chance to step back in time at Mountain Craft Days.

Running for over 40 years, it is the center’s annual education event featuring over 100 blacksmiths, bakers, candlemakers and woodworkers who are working to keep traditional trades from being lost in history.

“The demonstrations are so vital,” said Katrina Perkosky, Board Secretary of the Historical and Genealogical Society of Somerset County. “You know, you can read a book to learn about something, but to be able to see it in person and have someone there to answer your questions, I mean, you don’t get education like that everywhere else.”

Organizers said the event draws about 9,000 visitors to the area from all over the world and Perkosky said that within the first hour of opening the gates Friday, they had admitted over 600 people.

Artisans at the event said they enjoy teaching younger generations about traditional trades.

“To meet with the people and talk with them and show our wares and occasionally to sell something – it’s nice that this is a hobby that pays for itself, but we just enjoy being in the public and talking to people,” said Jim Cordek, an artisan woodworker.

The event runs Sept. 6 – 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Parking at the event is free and proceeds from admission help support operations of the Somerset Historical Center.

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For those looking to participate in next year’s Mountain Craft Days, Perkosky said it’s never to early to contact the Somerset Historical Center to get involved.

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