Before Aurora was preserved, it was made by hand.

Every chair, basket, glove, and garment began as skilled labor. The Aurora Colony relied on craft to build homes, support itself, and define identity.

Craft shaped both economy and daily life. Colonists transformed wood, fiber, metal, and leather into durable goods that met practical needs and supported communal living. As excess goods were sold beyond the community, the Aurora Colony gained a reputation for quality craftsmanship.

Explore the trades that made it possible:

Textiles & Leather – Fiber and leather work turned raw materials into essential goods for daily use and trade.

Woodworking – Woodwork shaped Aurora Colony, evolving from simple builds to finely crafted homes, furniture, and tools.

Basketry – Basketry used simple materials to create durable, lightweight solutions for storage and transport.

Metalwork – Metalwork sustained Aurora Colony, producing durable tools and goods essential to daily life.

Visit us starting April 11th and discover how what began as necessity and labor now endures as heritage—a testament to a community built by hand.