In 2025, the Connecticut Museum is celebrating its 200th birthday! We’re excited to present a series of programs that will shine a light on some of our most treasured collection items.

In this program, Connecticut woodworker Bob Van Dyke will utilize furniture from our collection to showcase the living craft of furniture-making today, and demonstrate some of the techniques used to create these pieces.

Specifically, Bob will focus on Federal period ornamentation. He has studied Federal period inlay extensively, and will demonstrate the making of some of the more common types of inlay that were used in the various Connecticut furniture shops. Unlike today, furniture in the 18th century was a status symbol and the more highly ornamented the furniture was, the more expensive it became. Consequently, it was a subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) mark of the success of the owner. Ornate carving, intricate veneer work, curved chair & arms along with all sorts of inlays played a huge part in the value of the furniture and the status of the owner.  Shaded fans, geometric bandings and oval paterae were all incorporated which added significant value to the furniture.

You’ll have the opportunity to study some of the pieces from the Connecticut Museum furniture collection that will illustrate Bob’s presentation.

Questions? Contact Natalie Belanger, Adult Programs Manager, at [email protected].

Tickets
$15 General Admission
$10 for Connecticut Museum Member levels under $150
Free for Connecticut Museum Member levels $150 and above

GET TICKETSAbout Our Presenter:

Bob Van Dyke, Director of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking in Manchester and a Contributing Editor for Fine Woodworking Magazine, has been studying Federal ornamentation for years – especially with regard to Connecticut furniture. After 18 years as an award-winning chef in French restaurants Bob left the business to begin a career in woodworking and teaching. Furniture making had provided an outlet to the pressures of the restaurant business until 1993 when he started the Harris Enterprise School of Fine Woodworking in Manchester, CT. In seven years of operation the school gained national exposure and recognition.