Old-time Presses In A Modern World

Genesee's Poole says he fought with curators initially: "They thought a master printer wore gentlemen's clothes—a white dress shirt, vest, tie and pants. I have a lot of white shirts with black marks. The average printer would have been a journeyman in workingman's clothes."

Williamsburg's costumes have evolved over time. "The material has become more authentic—linen and cotton, rather than synthetics like when I started," Williamsburg's Parker says. The natural fibers breathe "so it's not as hot as people think it might be."