Monticello Poplar Bowls

[Nathan Hawkes]

Hello again folks. A while back I posted a group of bowls that I had taken for sale at the Monticello Museum Shop made from one of the trees next to Monticello itself. I was so fortunate to be included in the turning of this magnificent tree!!

A quick history, for those that did not see the previous post; In August, 2008, an ancient tulip Poplar, one of the two framing Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, was taken down due to disease and danger of falling on Monticello. The tree was about 7.5 feet in diameter, about 5.5 feet of which was hollow. The tree was known to be hollow since the early 1900's, and had been maintaned for so long with an intricate system of thick steel cables throughout the inside of the tree, which anchored it to surrounding trees, and the ground, in hopes of keeping it from falling onto Monticello should a storm crack the weakened trunk. Another turner, local to myself, Fred Williamson, was kind enough to include me on the project.

Here are a few shots from the most recent group of bowls taken to the shop.

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[Greg Just]

Once again - very nice turnings. How much of the tree did you get? Thanks for sharing.

[Nathan Hawkes]

Here are a few more pictures of more bowls in the group. Some of these were given to family members in hopes they might become family heirlooms at some point. At my young age, I can only hope that the future will bring a fraction of the turning opportunities that I've been given so far. That much alone would be delightful!!



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[Bernie Weishapl]

Those are some nice looking bowls. Thanks for sharing.

[charlie knighton]

thanks for sharing Nathan, very nice

[Roland Martin]

You are quite fortunate indeed to be included in this project. Very well done bowls and definitely uncommonly nice poplar. Thanks for the history lesson also.

[Curt Fuller]

Those are all beautiful bowls. But the historical significance of the wood makes them so much more interesting.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Beautiful work Nate! I would think that whoever received one of the bowls would treasure it! Cool idea of adding one of these rare bowls to the family history!

[Jim Burr]

What a great way to memorialize that tree Nate...Great and memorable pieces!

[Baxter Smith]

Nice bowls and a priceless thing to have!

[Peter Lamb]

Nate, You sure do get into some neat projects. You have down a wonderful with the remnants of the historic poplar. Your forms and finish are up to your usual standards. I hope all is going well with you and look forward to a return visit to Bluffton.
Peter

[Christopher K. Hartley]

Nathan, good job on these, very nice finish on them.:)

[Michael James]

Very nice work on some incredible wood! Thanks for posting and the history!

[Matt Day]

I moved from Charlottesville about 6 months ago after living there for about 12 years, and have been up to Monticello probably 25 times and remember those monster trees vividly. I'm jealous you were lucky enough to get some of that beautiful wood! If you have any you're will to part with, I'll PM you my address! :)

[Nathan Hawkes]

Thanks for the compliments everyone. I feel so lucky to have been afforded the opportunity to turn the historic wood.

Matt; sorry to have missed meeting you in Charlottesville. Unfortunately, I have a licensing agreement with Monticello, and cannot part with any of the wood. The bowls I gave away were really quite small. I will be sharing more pictures of bowls as I finish them. I actually have another group in the shop now, at least a couple of which i'll be taking pictures of in the next few days.

[Roger Chandler]

Nate,

Those are really terrific! You always do such nice work, and of course the wood with such a story............makes turning them seem like an honor.

Congratulations on a fine collection!