Archaeology at Pope’s Tavern Hosts Leathercraft Workshop on September 21

Archaeology at Pope’s Tavern will host a presentation and leathercraft workshop on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at Pope’s Tavern Museum, 203 Hermitage Drive, Florence, AL. This workshop is part of a series at Pope’s Tavern exploring local history and archaeology. Denise Anderson of Gathering Moss Studio in Huntsville will lead the workshop, providing a brief look at the history and process of leathercraft in the 1800s. Participants will learn about historical methods of tanning leather, how these compare to contemporary techniques, and see examples of items commonly made during that period. Anderson is a leatherworker who uses traditional methods to create functional and decorative leather goods inspired by nature. Following the workshop, Archaeology at Pope’s Tavern will continue its excavation of Test Unit 7. The program is free to the public and is sponsored by the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums, with support from the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. Pope’s Tavern Museum is dedicated to the early history of Florence and Lauderdale County (1800–1870) and has hosted the Archaeology at Pope’s Tavern program since 2022. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, call 256-760-6439.