Ramon Townsend
Book Binder

Ramon trained as a bookbinder under the Master and Journeymen Bookbinders at Colonial Williamsburg in the late 1970s and early 1980s. After leaving Colonial Williamsburg, he continued making new books and repairing books for family and friends. In 2012, Ramon started Colonial Bindery where he led workshops and repaired old books. In 2014, Ramon partnered with Historic Sugartown to offer workshops in its traditional Bindery. Today, Ramon teaches a variety of workshops and classes to all ages.

Jose Ibarra
Bindery Associate

I am a lifelong book lover and amateur Colonial Historian. I have always had an interest in colonial period craftsmanship and, after my retirement, I was fortunate to find bookbinding courses offered at Historic Sugartown with Ramón Townsend who was trained at Colonial Williamsburg.

There is a sense of satisfaction in creating a book using traditional methods, but for me there is even more fulfillment in helping to restore a damaged book that is a family heirloom. Restoring such a book ensures that it will be used and cherished for years to come.

Elaine Powers
Bindery Associate

My relationship with history began with a fascination of ancient history, and I’ve always had a soft spot for the 18th century and the beginnings of the USA. In my spare time, I love creating. I enjoy reading and making books. Currently, I find that I really enjoy making a house a home and home decorating. Because maintaining my bookstore, Bristol Books & Bindery in Bristol, PA, Bucks County, has taken up most of my time in the last few years, I am spending the rest of my time with my family – my husband and I have 2 daughters, ages 15 & 12, so I spend a lot of my time driving, and while parked, reading myself to sleep. I’m hoping they might one day run the bookstore with me!

Looking for something special to add to my bookstore services, I found Ramon’s classes in February of 2021. I have been apprenticing under Ramon ever since as a Journeywoman Bookbinder. For a few years, I assisted Ramon in teaching Colonial Bindery’s bookbinding classes at Historic Sugartown. Now I manage the email for the bindery. I help Ramon manage the admin part of the classes and correspondences. With Ramon’s unwavering confidence in me, I am also proud to offer my bookbinding and repair services at my store, with the occasional help of Ramon and Jose!