WOODWORKING
Dunlap Family Cabinetmakers
Did you know that right here in our town in West Salisbury, there once were cabinetmakers of the finest caliber?
According to John J. Dearborn in The History of Salisbury, Samuel Dunlap resided in Salisbury from 1797 until his death Aug 2, 1830, at age 79. He is buried in the Mills/Pingry Cemetery in West Salisbury.
In 1806, he bought one-half of the sawmill of David Pettingill in West Salisbury. He purchased the other half of the sawmill shortly after from Capt. William Pingrey. This was on the site of what would later be the Prince Sawmill.
Feb 2015: Currently on exhibit at the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord New Hampshire is a reproduction of an earlier Dunlap High Boy. Careful study was made of older Dunlap furniture to determine what the red might have been on some of these earlier pieces. This High Boy crafted by Donald Dunlap, a descendent of the famous cabinetmakers, shows what he has determined to be the distinctive “Dunlap Red” color that was sometimes used.
The following is from Google Books
http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Dunlap_Cabinetmakers.html?id=_RQyDLXesmwC
“The Dunlaps of New Hampshire began making fine furniture in the mid-1700s. Their distinctive tables, chests, chairs, and clockcases have their origins in the traditions that the Scots-Irish brought to the New World. Most Dunlap works are now in museums where they are studied by scholars, but thanks to the book’s detailed scaled drawings and Donald Dunlap’s construction notes, woodworkers can undertake the challenging proportions and ornament practiced by the Dunlaps. The 14 projects range from a simple knife box to an intricate tall clock and include a one-drawer stand, tea table, and desk.”
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, there are several pieces attributed to the Dunlaps
Levi Bartlett
From the New Hampshire Historical Society’s NH E newsletter, March 2011
“We know we have many rare pieces of 19th-century furniture in the Society’s collections. What we don’t always have is irrefutable proof of the maker. One of our newest acquisitions has both rarity and proven attribution. This Federal-style chest of drawers was made by Levi Bartlett (1784-1864) sometime between 1805 and 1808. It retains one of his paper labels on the back and is one of only two known labeled furniture pieces made by the cabinetmaker.
Born in Salisbury, New Hampshire, Levi Bartlett embarked on his furniture-making career in 1804, associated with cabinetmaker Hubbard C. Gale of Concord. Shortly after Gale’s death in 1805, Bartlett advertised that he had taken over Gale’s shop and soon opened a second shop in his home town of Salisbury. His career as a cabinetmaker was shortlived however; in 1809 Bartlett sold both businesses to Porter Blanchard. By 1814 he had become a dry goods merchant and Boston resident.
t lived in Salisbury for 30 years.
Born in Salisbury 1784. Owned a Shop in Academy Hall in 1806. Married in Salisbury 1809. Left Salisbury in 1819.
FLOORCLOTH MAKING
John Phillips
The following are examples of John Phillip’s beautiful floorcloths created in traditional patterns between 2000-2010.
From the website listed below:
History of Floorcloths
The painted canvas rugs also known as floorcloths or oylcloth were in wide use during most of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The floorcloth was initially viewed as an affordable alternative to the grander woven carpets of the wealthy, or as an imitation of marble, tile, and inlaid parquet, but came to be valued for its own sake. The arrival of linoleum flooring in the US slowed the interest in hand made floorcloths and by the early 1920s they were virtually gone.
Stencils from Historic Homes
Stenciling is an art form found in Early American home décor. Today, it is back. It’s symbolism is prevalent in various motifs. The swag and pendant, known as the liberty bell was a patriotic emblem of post-Revolutionary America. Of those derived from nature, the flower baskets represented friendship; the oak leaf – strength and loyalty; the willow – everlasting life; the pineapple -hospitality and heart represents love and happiness.
HOOKED RUGS
Dr. John Kepper 1919-2016
John Kepper began hooking rugs in 1981 and continued with lessons and rug hooking until approximately 2009.
To read more about John Kepper and see additional images of his hooked rugs: John Kepper
LAMP SHADE MAKING
Nan Dexheimer
Several Salisbury homes are graced with lampshades by Nan Dexheimer who lived in Salisbury from about 1965 to 1975. She taught shade decorating, made painted and pierced shades and had a small gift shop adjacent to their home on Salisbury Heights.
MILLINERY
The “Salisbury Hat Factory” (workshop) was at one time located near what is now the crossroads of Route 127 and Route 4.
The two intricately woven hats shown below (left) are on display with other hats in the Salisbury Historical Museum Country Store.
NEEDLEWORK & QUILTING
Kathleen DeGrassie, current resident
SIGN MAKING, Working with Wood and Calligraphy
Meant To Be Signs – Sarah Huang, current resident
