Sunday, October 12, 2008

I'm a Lucky, Lucky Lady

The EAIA meetup last weekend was held at the recently renovated Dills Tavern, originally built in 1794. The weathermen promised a warm, sunny day, but it was cloudy and frigid, which prevented me from staying for all the day's activities. I was sorry to have missed Jim Leamy's afternoon lecture on making plow planes. The ivory plow plane was one of many of his exquisite planes that were on display.

Tailgating with vendors who were selling antique tools started early, and was followed by presentations by the man in charge of restoration —Sam McKinney—and a decendant of the family who purchased the tavern in 1800—Bob Eichelberger.

The three years it's taken to bring the tavern back to its original form included removal of many Victorian elements and additions that were added in the late 19th century. The kitchen needed to be gutted and other rooms needed major work, but as much as possible of the original architecture and flooring was salvaged. That which could not be saved was either replaced with elements that were purchased from other period buildings or were authentically reproduced by the men who conducted the renovations. On display were a plethora of antique moulding planes that they employed during construction.

"We basically removed anything that used common nails" explained Sam, who in my opinion is part detective—because of his ability to uncover the clues that enabled him to restore the historic building to its original state—and part visionary.

The tavern, outbuildings, and grounds are being fashioned in the same pattern as Eastfield Village, where Sam has taken classes since 1983. His vision is to replicate the original Dills Tavern setting, including distillery (ironic, since Dillsburg is currently a dry town), and to offer workshops that teach 18th c. techniques in stonework, timber framing, basket making, wool dyeing, and open hearth cooking.

But that's not the best part.

They have recently started construction of an 18th c. timber frame woodwright's shop, in which the 3 men who have so diligently reconstructed the tavern will build authentic reproduction furniture, including my favorite, PA German. Their pieces will furnish the tavern and will also be for sale.

With only a 15 minute drive to Dillsburg, I plan to conduct many drive-by droolings as the shop is being constructed, and occasionally stop to talk with the builders. One gave me his card and said to "stop by anytime." (honest!)

I will try my best to practice restraint and not make him regret having told me that....lest I be labeled the Dills Tavern Stalker.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Kari,
Very interesting info, would love to be close enough to visit the tavern. I'm adding it to my list of places to see before I'm history.
Love the pictures also.

will said...

Totally off topic ... but I too think Madeline Kahn is terrific, and adding to your selections, also as Trixie Delight in Paper Moon.

Woodbloke said...

Kari - fabulous looking plough plane and an interesting building as well. With that stonework, it could be in England...except for the roof, which would probably be thatched over here - Rob

Ethan said...

Wow. I can't get past the use of 50+ moulding planes used in construction! That's awesome - and a lot of sharpening! Did they use the traditional apprentice to handle that aspect of it, too?

I hope you know how lucky you are, Kari, living near such wonderful historic places. I love how you so easily relate them all back to woodworking! :)

Cheers,

Ethan

Kari Hultman said...

Harley, you might want to wait until they have the woodwright's shop built to make it worth your while. And I hope you are not "history" anytime soon. : )

Bill, I'll put that movie on my netflix list!

Rob, I'm hoping to interview Jim Leamy in his shop sometime and I'll be sure to post more photos of his planes. They are gorgeous.

Ethan, that table was one of THREE that displayed moulding planes. At first, I thought they were for sale and I couldn't get my money out fast enough.

Since you mentioned apprentice, Sam did mention that the last guy to join them in renovation, because he was new, was given the task of handplaning ALL the boards. Poor fella.

Vic Hubbard said...

I think I just swallowed a fly when I gasped at seeing that gorgeous ivory plane!!! WOW!! You're not kidding, you are one lucky lady!!

Kari Hultman said...

I look at his planes, Vic, and I'm amazed that a human being can make something so perfect.