At our upcoming open house – 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 26 – you’re invited to help us build a workbench – or simply watch us work and ask questions.
We’ve been working with the Cincinnati Museum Center for a new permanent exhibit, Made in Cincinnati, that will include in the “made by hand section” an educational display about the very important 19th-century Cincinnati craftsman (and ahead-of-his-time ersatz epidemiologist) Henry Boyd. On exhibit will be one of his “swelled railed bedsteads” and a re-creation of his shop space, which is where this Nicholson-style workbench will end up.
We have been working on a book on Boyd for the last couple years – more on this exciting topic in the next week or so.
Unfortunately, we’ve been unable to find extant pictures or drawings of Boyd’s shop – but given the prevalence in his lifetime (1802-1886) of this sturdy and inexpensive bench style, it’s a logical inference that his bench was similar to the one featured in “Mechanic’s Companion.”
Join us in this build, and help us and the Museum Center celebrate the legacy of craft in our city and to share Boyd’s amazing story.
Made by Hand is scheduled to open July 1 at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Some elements will change over time, says Stacey Kutish, senior director of exhibition development, but she expects Boyd’s bed and shop exhibit to remain on display.
— Megan Fitzpatrick
P.S. Our shop is located at 837 Willard St., Covington, KY 41011. There is plenty of street parking.
That’s a whole bunch of fascinating updates. Thanks!
Still popular nowadays. Here in the UK, at any rate.
Almost every school woodworking room, gunroom, and Ministry (or ex-Ministry) workshop I’ve seen has similar benches, usually outfitted with a steel face vise and a thick paint spill somewhere. Of course quite a few of them may actually date from the 19th century, but they’re still earning their keep.
I would probably be tasked with drilling all the holdfast holes. I used to work in a shop where on a new hires first day, we told him was job was to make pegboard. To see his reaction and what he would do.
You two have an intriguing sense of adventure. If it wasn’t a 30 hour drive each way, I promise I would totally be there to annoy the living crap out of both of you.
Best wishes
Man, if only I didn’t have a job.
Lovely project. I hope many hands make light and social work!
Excited about the book and love me a Nicholson bench! I get the Anarchist / French or even the continental might have more benefits, but the Nicholson is def my fave. I find the work holding affective and the looks are too notch. The only downside is that ripsawing can’t cause the bench to slide, but sticking it against a wall solves this issue.
Is there a reference that shows a “swelled railed bedstead?”
https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2012.113.1a-m