PORT TOWNSEND — The public can get a look today at a newly configured workshop at Fort Worden State Park that could become an active new venture.
The Port Townsend School of Woodworking will host an open house in Building 304 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. so visitors can learn about the construction of crafted furniture that will adorn porches on Officer’s Row buildings.
“This will allow people to sit comfortably and have a good view of the parade grounds,” said Tim Lawson, the school’s executive director.
The furniture sets are subsidized by a $75,000 anonymous grant secured in 2014.
The grant also helped pay for tools that will transform what has been an auxiliary workshop into an educational and production facility.
The 2,200-square-foot shop located in the old bakery building was first used by the school to craft replacement windows for Fort Worden buildings.
“We’d like to use this space to house an apprenticeship program, taking people who have gone through the vocational program that are really gifted craftsmen,” Lawson said.
“We can train them to do historical preservation and whatever other work is needed.”
Lawson said Fort Worden offers an “endless amount” of historical preservation work.
The furniture project is now halfway complete, with five of the 10 sets constructed.
Each set includes two chairs, a bench and a coffee table. All are embossed with a Fort Worden insignia.
The sets are constructed in white oak and will be used in their current unfinished state.
“When you put finish on white oak, it causes cracking and decay that requires you to refinish it every few years,” Lawson said.
“Without finish, the white oak will age very gracefully into gray.”
The furniture was designed by Port Townsend resident Jaap Romijn, who did not limit the number of sets the school can manufacture but will not allow their commercial sale.
Lawson said the sets cost about $1,600 to manufacture and would cost several thousand dollars if sold at retail.
The 10 sets will fall short of supplying the 12 buildings on Officer’s Row, although additional sets could be built if funding becomes available, Lawson said.
Theft could be an issue in spite of the furniture’s considerable weight, Lawson said, but it has been designed in a way that accommodates a chain or cable to keep it in place.
In addition to the furniture, attendees at today’s open house will see projects from students participating in the current three-month course, “Foundations of Woodworking.”
Warm cider and snacks will be served. Attendees should dress warmly, because the shop is unheated.
For more information, go to www.ptwoodschool.org or call 360-344-4455.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
