We are nearing the end of summer here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. It is hot, humid and we suffer from occasional showers and downpours which seem to run right off. But September is right around the corner and then we will begin the progression to a new season and we hope progress on ending the isolation of Covid-19.
For those folks who collect tools or who like to visit museums or historic sites, it has been difficult because so many events and venues have cancelled or closed due to the coronavirus. I am sure many folks are anxious to get out and about, but the virus just has us buffaloed right now. So it is a good time to try new activities or return to projects that have been left undone for one reason or another. In our recent issue of Shavings, we shared stories of the projects that our members are working on. These projects ranged from simple to complex and demonstrate the variety of interests and skills of the folks who shared them with us. The photograph above is of a raised panel door built by Steven O’Shaughnessy for the Peabody Essex Museum. I hope you will take time to go to the Summer 2020 issue of Shavings (just click on the link).
Because we can’t have in-person meetings, EAIA has been doing more online activities to keep you interested and occupied. Each Thursday morning our Chronicle editor, Megan Fitzpatrick, selects an article from one of the past issues of the Chronicle to share with you. These are posted on the EAIA website blog, it you subscribe to the blog you will get notification when these Chronicle Weekly articles are posted. We hope you enjoy reading these legacy articles. We have plenty to choose from as the Chronicle has been published continuously since 1933 – that’s 87 years of interesting and engaging articles!
We have also been posting “whatsits?” on our social media sites and it has been interesting to see and learn about these tools and objects that some have puzzled over. We encourage you to send a photo of your whatsits to us (EAIA1933@verizon.net) so that we can post it and look forward to learning what it is (or maybe not.)
EAIA President Dana Shoaf will continue to conduct occasional Facebook Live interviews with artisans and craftspeople. His first interview with Marshall Sheetz, a modern cooper went well; you can see it here. Next up is Sally Fishburn, who restores and manufactures traditional wood windows from her shop in Vermont. We will post reminders on Facebook when these interviews take place.
To all who participated in or followed the recent EAIA Online Silent Auction, we thank you very much! There were more than 100 things donated, and many of them were made by the donor. Bidders did a great job of helping EAIA to recoup some of the income lost from postponement of the Annual Meeting in Staunton, Va. We are certainly pleased with the results and shout out to all who donated and bid!
One last request: Many of you are history buffs, tool collectors, and tool users. The many venues and auctions that we traditionally visit during the year have been cancelled, however many of them have taken to creating online auctions and events. So we hope you will support these people who give us the opportunity to learn, purchase, and trade tools and knowledge by providing online content and tool auctions. It will be an opportunity for you to interact virtually with our community.
Thank you. Stay safe, stay well, stay connected.
Well said John,and so true, thanks..
Thank you very much Art. Hope all is well in SP. My brother moved from Islesboro to Brunswick, we hope to visit sometime when it is safe. I would like you to give me a tour of Mechanic’s Hall when we do, is that possible?
The whatsit is a fence poke, worn around the neck of cattle to prevent them breaking through a fence.
Thank you Paul, we have had a good discussion about this item and your ID has been confirmed by someone who sent a patent document. Stay well, stay safe….
Nicely stated. We all look forward to getting back to the social interactions and learning opportunities that were impacted this Year.
We sure do Ron. Thank you. Hope you and Georgia are doing well. Thank you for sharing your project with us! Stay well, Stay safe!