The Elfreth’s Alley Museum began a series of podcasts in 2020. The 2021 season is now underway. The most recent episode, Cabinetmakers, explores the history of woodworking in Philadelphia from the founding of the city in 1682 to the present day. I was delighted to be asked to participate in this episode. Ted Maust and … Continue reading Elfreth’s Alley Museum Podcast
Woodworking
Please, Please, Please, Philadelphia
Please, Please, Please, Philadelphia is a free Zoom event from the Center for Art and Wood. I'm looking forward to participating on the panel with John Lutz, General Manager of George Nakashima Woodworkers, and Emily Zilber, the Director of Curatorial Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at the Wharton Esherick Museum. You can RSVP here. Philadelphia College … Continue reading Please, Please, Please, Philadelphia
News
Getting the word out about several upcoming programs I’m involved in. First up is a virtual event supporting the current exhibition at the Center for Art in Wood, Tom Loeser: Please, Please, Please curated by Glenn Adamson. The event is free and open to everyone. It takes place July 14th, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. I’m pleased … Continue reading News
William Beakes’ Drawer Making
William Beakes’ drawer construction is common to late seventeenth and early eighteenth joiner’s work. The wood species were similarly used by the majority of Delaware River Valley joiners and cabinetmakers. Black walnut was the principle primary wood species used in furniture making in the early eighteenth century, drawer sides were most often of hard pine, … Continue reading William Beakes’ Drawer Making
William Beakes, Joyner, Part II
A chest of drawers by the joiner William Beakes III is signed and dated in white chalk on the interior surface of a side panel. The inscription was written before the chest was assembled. It may even have been written before the panel edges were chamfered to fit into grooves in the stiles and rails … Continue reading William Beakes, Joyner, Part II
In Proportion to the Trouble 