PIERCETON — Pierceton Chamber of Commerce announced the November Member of the Month is Townsends.

For more than 40 years, Townsends has operated as a family business, said a news release from Pierceton Chamber of Commerce.

James Townsend started Townsends in 1973. After visiting many local living history events, he used his woodworking skills to create the first Townsends’ product, the wooden lantern that is featured on the company logo.

Today Townsends is known for the manufacturing and retail of quality reproduction of 18th and early 19th Century clothing and accessories. They serve the living history community, historic sites, museums, and theatrical, motion picture, and television production companies.

A re-enactment scene. Photo provided.

“We each have our own part in the business that we specialize in,” said Office Manager Lauren Townsend.

The current president, Jon Townsend began the Townsends YouTube channel which currently features over 800 videos. This previous month, Townsends’ YouTube channel was honored for having 1 million subscribers and the number has continued to grow. The channel was initially started with the goal to provide a higher level of customer service.

“Paper instructions are good, but video can be even more helpful in explaining how to use a product,” Townsend said.

Today, viewers have an opportunity to watch a wide range of videos on the channel. New videos are posted on Monday and Friday each week. Videos range from such subject matters as “Building a Dugout Canoe” to “Candied Lime Peel.”

Each Friday’s video is a live show where Jon answers questions that viewers submit about life in the 18th century. The largest selection of videos remains the wide range of cooking videos from original cookbooks of the 18th century.

Customer service is a high priority to Townsends as many of their products are made in their downtown Pierceton facility specifically for the individual customer.

Townsends not only serves local entities such as Conner Prairie in Fishers and The Old Fort in Fort Wayne but Dan Townsend, the shipping manager, oversees the shipment of packages all over the United States as well as to international customers in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and all over Europe.

The storefront is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Townsends can also be contacted via their website at www.townsends.us, by email at [email protected] or by calling 1-800-338-1665. Make sure to follow Townsends on Facebook and subscribe to their YouTube channel!