Traditional Woodworking shop

If you're in driving distance of Hancock, MA (western Mass, not Boston area) or feel like taking a trip Hancock Shaker Village might be a good bet. If you call them and explain what you're working on they may be able to suggest some reference material.

Colonial Williamsburg comes to mind. They are definitely 18th century, but the folks in the woodworking shop could probably give you an idea of the advances in the next 70-90 years. Any chance you are in the mid atlantic?

Montyhp

Likewise for the Museum of American Frontier Culture in Staunton, Virginia, an affiliate of Colonial Williamsburg and the Jamestown - Yorktown Foundation. The Museum focuses exactly on the period you noted.

A triditional shop start is centered around a traditional bench. See "The workbench book" by Landis for a great start.

-Steve

A Google produced 2,770 entries. enter the following *woodworking shop "nineteenth century"*

I would like to thank everyone for their suggestions. Living in California (San Francisco Bay Area) There really are not that many historic parks to visit to get these details.

I have been looking into building that 'first woodworkers workbench'. I have access to a 'table top' piece of eucalyptus that is 4" thick, 3' wide, and 8' long. Will eucalyptus make a good top for the workbench? I know it makes a great 'stump' for my blacksmithing anvil.

Thanks again for all the great details.

Daniel Curry

Zylogue wrote:

if you can get it to dry without warping or splitting too badly it will make a great bench top.