On December 7th, the first Saturday, our monthly meeting was held in person at Bain Center (info link) and virtually using Zoom technology.

The demonstration for the meeting was “Mastering 18th & 19th Century Cabinets” by Jeff Headley, a fourth-generation cabinetmaker.

Jeff Headley, who specializes in building and restoring pre-1820 American furniture, spoke on the construction and design of period furniture. Jeff is a fourth-generation cabinetmaker who continues the family business legacy, Mack S. Headley and Sons, located in the Shenandoah Valley.

Woodworkers can learn a great deal from 17th and 18th century furniture including advanced joinery techniques like mortise and tenon construction, the use of traditional hand tools, emphasis on quality materials, and thoughtful design principles based on proportion and function.  Jeff will discuss how to design and create beautiful, lasting pieces with unique decorative elements specific to different historical styles. He will demonstrate the construction of a Federal tea table, Chippendale chest, Highboy, and Federal bowfront sideboard. By showing furniture that completely comes apart, Jeff will highlight the joinery needed to build each piece.

Jeff has written for Fine Woodworking, American Period Furniture, demonstrated on the Woodwright’s Shop with Roy Underhill, and lectured to many organizations and museums, including Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, and The Society of American Period Furniture Makers. Jeff has also worked for many museums, such as Mount Vernon, The Carlyle House, Mosby Tavern, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, The White House for over 40 years, and The Park Service. He was featured in The Difference Makers, published by The Lost Art Press.

The recording of Jeff’s presentation today will be available soon to members only via this page.  Check back in a week or so.

Scroll down to view a photo carousel of the meeting highlights.

Meeting details:

AGENDA:

0900 – 0945 – Social, Raffle & Door Prize Ticket sales
0945 – 1005 – 20-minutes Call to Order, Welcome, Reports and Announcements
1005 – 1025 – 20-minutes Show-n-Tell
1025 – 1035 – 10-minute Break
1035 – 1150 – 75-minute Presentation
1150 – 1200 – Raffle
1200 – Adjourn
1200 – 1225 – restore room to pre-meeting condition

PROGRAM

09:45 – Opening – David

New Members and Guests Welcome – David

Reports

• Treasurer – Paul K. (reports homepage)
• Membership – Gene
  252 Active Members (Member Directory) (+6 joined in November)
• Workshop – Jay (shop schedule)
  
• Presentations – Kathy (Presentation Schedule)
• Education – Mark (homepage)

Announcements – Paul

• Volunteers Needed – Paul (homepage)
• Marketing and Communications, Paul
• Toys for Tots – Diane Frankenfield (homepage)
• Recognition – Diane Frankenfield (homepage)
• Home Shop Tours – David Hickson (homepage)

Show n Tell – Paul

Break
    Guests and New Members Join Gene in the Lobby for a Shop Tour

Presentation – Kathy

Jeff Headly, “Mastering 18th & 19th Century Cabinets”

11:50 – Raffle Prizes Results for In-Person Attendees, by TBD

Next Meeting – January 11th – “Spindle Turning for Furniture Making”, by Matt Radtke

Adjourn

David & Aaron admiring Jeff Headley Pieces

Toys for Tots Chairpersons - Ron & Diane

Toys for Tots 2024

David Hickson Handsaw Sale, w/David & Gene

Matt Radtke - Repurpose Committee Chair

Repurpose Items

Show n Tell

Bandsaw Box

Multi-pass Turned Christmas Ornaments

Turned Pyrography Bowls

Rare Walnut Burl - Turned Bowl