William Frankfort

     In addition to his roles as cartographer, illustrator, calligrapher,
     author, re-enactor, and experimental archaeologist, Wild Willy is
     also a skilled hornmaker and a master scrimshaw artist. A
     graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Willy has been
     recreating authentic 18th century powder horns and other early
     American artifacts for over 10 years, and can be seen at many re-
     enactments, period shows, and historical conferences throughout
     Pennsylvania and Ohio. In his home library, he has one of the
     best private collections of primary sources on frontier history in
     western Pennsylvania.

    Since 1994, Willy has immersed himself in the 18th century, taking
    frontier living classes where he has learned important skills such
    as learning how to drive oxen, making stick and mud chimneys,
    squaring logs for a frontier cabin, and the art of early
    blacksmithing. Willy is also active in the Washington County
    Historical Society, The Rangers of the Ohio Company, the 1st
    Virginia Regiment, and the Oliver Miller Homestead.

    An impressive speaker, Willy has considerable experience in
    public speaking and can offer a wide range of interesting topics.
    Many of his presentations also include hands-on activities that get
    students directly involved in 18th century living skills. His
    workshop topics include the following:

	In addition to his roles as cartographer, illustrator, calligrapher, author, re-enactor, and experimental archaeologist, Wild Willy is also a skilled hornmaker and a master scrimshaw artist. A graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Willy has been recreating authentic 18th century powder horns and other early American artifacts for over 10 years, and can be seen at many re- enactments, period shows, and historical conferences throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio. In his home library, he has one of the best private collections of primary sources on frontier history in western Pennsylvania. Since 1994, Willy has immersed himself in the 18th century, taking frontier living classes where he has learned important skills such as learning how to drive oxen, making stick and mud chimneys, squaring logs for a frontier cabin, and the art of early blacksmithing. Willy is also active in the Washington County Historical Society, The Rangers of the Ohio Company, the 1st Virginia Regiment, and the Oliver Miller Homestead. An impressive speaker, Willy has considerable experience in public speaking and can offer a wide range of interesting topics. Many of his presentations also include hands-on activities that get students directly involved in 18th century living skills. His workshop topics include the following:
~ History in Our Own Backyard ~ Stories from the Western Pennsylvania Frontier ~ The Packhorse Trains: A Trip into the Backwoods of Pennsylvania ~ Frontier Survival Skills ~ Frontier Cooking and Clothing ~ The Changing Images of the Indian on the Eastern Frontier ~ Intercultural Learning on the Frontier: (What whites learned from Natives and what Natives learned from whites) ~ The Life of an 18th Century Powderhorn Maker ~ Thermodynamics and the 18th Century Horner ~ The History of Scrimshaw Art


Contact Information Phone: 724-348-9705 Email: wildwilley372@cs.com