Wharton Esherick - Master In His Own Right

[Jeff Wright]

I just visited the site of Wharton Esherick, a master woodworker admired by Sam Maloof and other great woodworkers. His preserved home and workspace is located just west of Philadelphia. Call them at 610-644-5822. . It is worth a stop if you find yourself in the area (near Valley Forge Park). He designed some great delicate yet sturdy stools that i would love to make someday. I don't see any website for his work, but a new book details his contributions along with those of Maloof and Nakashima (whose museum is also located nearby). The book is entitled Homes of the Masters - Esherick/Maloof/Nakashima.

[Jim Becker]

Jeff, we've done the tour there, too. It's just outstanding! Highly recommended. One of my personal favorites in that house is the apple planking in the kitchen area that is all natural edged, if I recall clearly. Esherick was an amazing man in so many ways.

If you didn't get to do it this trip, be sure to do the Nakashima compound which is just a few miles from my home next time. While portions of the the place is open to the public on Saturday afternoons, the James Mitchner Art Museum in Doylestown occasionally offers extended tours that include a box lunch...and you get to see nearly everything!

[Jeff Craven]

:D I love that house. It is very inspirational and I highly recommend a visit. I was also there recently and snapped a couple pictures. Here is the intentionally crooked barn / welcome center.
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/6303/whartonesherick003.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/183/whartonesherick001.jpg


I also spotted some of his craft at the local Hedgerow theater in Media, that he was very involved in. The tables and chairs that he made for the theatre are still being used everyday.
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/3848/img1354l.jpg
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/7375/img1351hhq.jpg
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/1616/img1353q.jpg

[David Gilbert]

Anyone who is attend the Woodworking in America (WIA) event in Valley Forge this October should be sure to put the Wharton Esherick museum on their "MUST DO" list. It is very close and very impressive.

Here is a weblink to their information.

http://www.levins.com/esherick.html

I'm looking forward to seeing you at WIA.

Cheers,
David