Jefferson book stand a monticello classic woodworking. On that desk was done a work greater than any battle, loftier than any poem, more enduring than any monument. Thomas jeffersons writing desk build the revolutionary war relic used to write. Thomas jefferson was a lifelong reader and learner who.
Jefferson may have conveniently placed it next to his chair in his readingandwriting arrangement in the cabinet. Thomas jefferson s plan to reform virginia s education system gave a broad outline of a progressive school structure. The lids support stand fits into different notches so that jefferson could change the angle of the top when he wished. This jefferson book stand, found in monticello, is reproduced by johnsonarts, a workshop, makeground, imagineering design center and studio, specializing in customdesigned and built furniture. This cubeshaped book stand was probably designed by thomas jefferson to hold five books and allow the reader to rotate the stand, thus changing the book in view. Thomas jefferson book stand plans our woodworking experts show you how stepbystep blueprints thomas jefferson book stand plans lifetime monthly planshow to thomas jefferson book stand plans for 1. As luck would have it, both my sons attend ambrose, and my wife is a 4th grade teacher there, so it was a given that i would. President, and the founder of the university of virginia. Replica of thomas jeffersons bookstand plans how to. Jeffersons revolving bookstand book stands, drafting desk.
It is believed that roubos book inspired thomas jeffersons design. Jul 19, 20 bob self, director of restoration, describes the history of the revolving bookstand and process of making reproductions for the shops monticello collection. As luck would have it, both my sons attend ambrose, and my wife is a 4th grade teacher there, so it was a given that i would volunteer to build the project. As many as five books or letters could be placed on it at a time. The thomas jefferson writing desk its a replica of the actual desk on which jefferson wrote the declaration of independence. The woodwrights shop thomas jeffersons bookstand season. Legend has it that thomas jefferson designed this bookstand in 1810 and had one built out of walnut. I read who was thomas jefferson by dennis brindell fradin. How to make a thomas jefferson jeffersonian bookstand. Thomas jefferson, a strong advocate of reading, frequently made book recommendations to his children and grandchildren. He needed to reference multiple sources, but found finding, opening and closing. The sage of monticello based his fivesided bookstand on designs he found in paris. This revolving stand, once thought to be a music stand, was probably made to jefferson s design and specifications in the joiners shop on mulberry row.
One can imagine him turning the stand, completely engrossed, consulting five books at once to find the answer to a burning question. How to make a thomas jefferson jeffersonian bookstand with. Reproductions of antiques thomas jeffersons writing desk i aural mahogany c0023. Thomas jeffersons revolving book stand johnsonarts.
Thomas jefferson revolving book stand custom furniture and. I have read quite a lot on the revolutionary era, including several other biographies of thomas jefferson, and even so i learned a lot about jefferson in the reading of this book. Thomas jeffersons personal workshop was hidden away above the rear portico with an entry door via the dome room on the second floor it seems most likely that james dinsmore andor his apprentice, john hemings, the latter who was one of jeffersons slaves and the halfbrother of sally hemings, built the bookstand around 1810. Thomas jeffersons bookstand season 28 episode 4 the. I was intrigued by the folding book stand from old pictures like the 1877 painting of a girl using one by the artist lord frederick gainesborough and others, but the most intriguing was a huge folding chair that looked like it was made from a 12. He was of english, and possibly welsh, descent and was born a british subject. One of the most prominent figures of american history, thomas jefferson was the third president of the united states and the author of the declaration of independence.
The third president of the united states and the author of the declaration of independence, thomas jefferson was a powerful man who helped shaped the future of america. Our revolving bookstand is a line by line reproduction of the original, which was made in the joinery at monticello, probably from thomas jefferson s own design. View,000 woodworking plans here search for thomas jefferson revolving book stand plansrdm168 basically, anyone who is interested in building with wood can learn it. Thomas jefferson rotating book stand plans woodstore. Inward 1815 thomas jefferson ceded atomic number 2 never used the bible sold when referring to the transaction the bookcases consisted of boxes arranged in three tiers. Judeochristian stained glass graphics illuminated cabinet c0216. Years ago i visited monticello and was impressed by the bookstand that thomas jefferson had designed for his library. Thomas jeffersons revolving bookshelf invention synonym.
In thomas jefferson designed a revolving book stand that was made in the joinery at monticello, je barn house plans craftsman style house plans country style house plans easy woodworking projects woodworking plans bible stand revolving bookcase diy stool modern farmhouse plans. Thomas jeffersons revolving book stand i think i need one for my nighttable. As many as five books could be placed on it at a time. Top 10 books on thomas jefferson best book recommendations. The woodwrights schooltime downloadable plans jeffersons bookstand. May 20, 2012 i believe that the stand was placed in the parlor in the 1980s but was later moved to his study. Reproduction revolving bookstand in the online monticello shop. The best thomas jefferson revolving book stand plansrdm168 free download pdf and video. Dec 28, 2009 how to make a thomas jefferson jeffersonian bookstand with downloadable plans. So, he invented this revolving book stand which allowed him to quickly and easily view five books with the spin of the wrist. Jefferson and how he became one of our founding fathers.
He sent newspaper clippings along with his letters to them and his suggestions focused on poetry, history, foreign language, and moral and behavioral improvement. It was designed to swivel 360 degrees and hold five books. Revolving bookstand view interactive version this revolving bookstand, once thought to be a music stand, was probably made to jefferson s design and specifications in the joinery. Thomas went through a lot in his life, such as his mother dying and only two of his children living to adulthood. This video documents the building of a jeffersonian bookstand that i built for m fiances birthday, based on the one found in thomas jeffersons office at monticello. Please email or call for details or to place an order. Reverand lewis is the senior pastor at the community presybeterian church in celebration florida an example of the bookstand as it may actually be used.
Jan, 2009 years ago i visited monticello and was impressed by the bookstand that thomas jefferson had designed for his library. Discover classes, experts, and inspiration to bring your ideas to life. Johnsonarts is a workshop, makeground, imagineering design center and studio, specializing in customdesigned and built furniture, lighting, items of function and objet d art. The original book stand is believed to have been built in the monticello joinery based on jeffersons drawings, and was constructed of solid walnut. I recently built a replica of thomas jeffersons revolving book stand. Thomas jefferson invented a book stand that allowed him to reference several open books at oncesort of like keeping a billion tabs opened.
Jefferson, ever the student, was constantly studying. Several weeks ago we were asked to quote and build a thomas jefferson revolving book stand, by a parent at the ambrose school, as a class project for the schools annual auction. Jeffersons revolving bookstand book stands, drafting. Thomas jefferson book stand plans, thomas jefferson bookstand on loan at the smithsonian. How to make a thomas jefferson jeffersonian bookstand with downloadable plans download plans. The woodwrights schooltime downloadable plans jefferson s bookstand. Five books on thomas jefferson a jefferson expert provides a list of indispensable reads about the founding father five mustread books on. Monticello revolving bookstand in 2020 thomas jefferson. Life and labor at monticello thomas jefferson exhibitions.
Woodworking jefferson bookcase plans pdf free download. Thomas jefferson 17431826, a statesman, founding father, author of the declaration of independence and the third u. Constructed of solid walnut, the cubeshaped stand has five adjustable rests for holding. It folds down into a onefoot cube and opens to hold up to five books simulataneously.
This video documents the building of a jeffersonian bookstand that i built for. Colonial williamsburg and fine woodworking are pleased to be joined by thomas jeffersons monticello to present the twelfth annual working wood in the 18th century conference at williamsburg during the week of january 20, 2010. Woodworking project plans available for immediate pdf download. Thomas jefferson was born on april, 1743 april 2, 1743, old style, julian calendar, at the family home in shadwell in the colony of virginia, the third of ten children. Our revolving bookstand is a line by line reproduction of the original, which was made in the joinery at monticello, probably from thomas jeffersons own design. Chris gochnours sideboard combines usefulness, strength, and beauty in a. Start your next project for jefferson book stand with one of our many woodworking plans.
Located in pacific grove, ca, we work across multiple media including wood and metal and the graphic arts. Bookstand is a linebyline reproduction of the original ingenious device found in thomas jeffersons cabinet, which was made in the joinery at monticello. Bob self, director of restoration, describes the history of the revolving bookstand and process of making reproductions for the shops monticello collection. A mortise in the underside of the lid houses the arms and allows the lid to close completely.
Lewis left being presented the jeffersonian book stand by maker larry ciesla. When jefferson wrote the declaration, the little desk was brand new. For pricing information, please visit our pricing page. The solid walnut bookstand was first believed to be a music stand, according to, because jefferson was proficient on the violin. Its become another project on my long list of projects. My son and i want to duplicate thomas jefferson s revolving bookstand. After building my bookstand, the panels in a down position dont display. The single drawer has compartments for an ink well, writing quills, nibs, pen knife. A hole in the base of the stand implies that it might have, at one time, been mounted on a tripod, as a music stand would be.
I believe that the stand was placed in the parlor in the 1980s but was later moved to his study. This revolving stand, once thought to be a music stand, was probably made to jeffersons design and specifications in the joiners shop on mulberry row. It is an item of his own design and it is believed that he drafted the declaration of independence on it. Bluprint woodworking get thomas jefferson revolving book stand plansrdm168. His life was an inspiring one and at the same time a little bit contradictory to his statements and way of living life, and thus he has formed the subject of a lot of authors books. The paypal button below will take you to the page where you can order full size plans for the desk. The footprint, when closed is inches 33 cm square. It folds down into a onefoot cube and opens to hold up to five books. Anawhite ana has been doing this a long time and has a the 1 last update 20191112 killer diy woodworking website. Mahogany 16th century gothic book cabinet in medium cherry c0141b thomas jefferson s revolving bookstand in natural walnut c022.
Thomas jefferson, ever the student, was constantly studying. Thomas jefferson revolving book stand latch finewoodworking. Jefferson may have conveniently placed it next to his chair in his readingandwriting arrangement in the. By 1814 when the british burned the nations capitol and the library of congress, jefferson had acquired the largest personal collection of books in the united states. Mahogany 16th century gothic book cabinet in medium cherry c0141b thomas jeffersons revolving bookstand in natural walnut c022. Feb 14, 2010 they struggle with things like how to accurately place elements in the model and when to make components they asked me for another demonstration showing how i go about these things. Recently theres also been some interest in thomas jeffersons bookstand. Bookstand is a linebyline reproduction of the original ingenious device found in thomas jeffersons cabinet, which was made in the joinery at monticello, probably from jeffersons own design. How to make a thomas jefferson jeffersonian bookstand with downloadable plans. Fortunately, i was able to find the plans for this project on his woodwrights school. The art of power, by jon meacham is a great read, i enjoyed it prologue through epilogue. Reproductions of antiques thomas jefferson s writing desk i aural mahogany c0023. Thomas jeffersons involvement with and support of education is best known through his founding of the university of virginia, which he established in 1819 as a secular institution after he left the presidency of the united states.
How to make solid wood 1800s jeffersonian bookstand. But jefferson was also an inventor with many accomplishments, including his great influence in the area of patent law. Most of us know thomas jefferson as the man who authored the declaration of independence, the united states first secretary of state, the third u. This jefferson bookstand also makes a great display piece.
Thomas jefferson revolving book stand custom furniture. Replica of thomas jeffersons bookstand woodworking blog plans. The solid walnut stand, designed to sit on a tripod was made at the monticello joinery, supervised by james dinsmore and john hemings. The revolving book stand symbolizes jeffersons lifelong passion for books, and is yet another great contribution to historic craftsmanship. Jefferson book stand a monticello classic woodworking network. Thomas jefferson lap desk i often have a small set of thomas jefferson desks available for immediate sale. Season 28 episode 4 26m 46s video has closed captioning. Jefferson offered to sell his library to congress as a replacement for the collection destroyed by the british during the war of 1812. He needed to reference multiple sources, but found finding, opening and closing books cumbersome and timewasting. The five sided rotating bookstand, now referred to as the thomas jefferson bookstand, could only make me wonder how curious and studious a man jefferson must have been. Jefferson, however, had his own ideas on the proper course of instruction. But historians later concluded that the stand was designed to hold books. Where a chapel would normally stand was a rotunda, a showcase of classical architecture, leading some to refer to the school as jeffersons infidel university. Discover free woodworking plans and projects for jefferson book stand.
Jefferson believed that libraries and books were so integral to individual and institutional education that he designed the university around its library. We will be building this for donation to our local library. Throughout his life, books were vital to thomas jeffersons education and wellbeing. There is very little information about the original book stand, but from what i was able to glean from the monticello website, thomas jefferson had it built in 1810 at the joinery, which was the workshop at monticello, out of solid walnut. Made of solid mahogany with a soft, handpolished finish, the rotating table top book stand holds five books at adjustable angles on rests that fold down to form a 12 cube. Thomas jefferson writing desk plans expert woodworking. Sep 30, 2014 how to make solid wood 1800s jeffersonian bookstand. This revolving bookstand, once thought to be a music stand, was probably made to jeffersons design and specifications in the joinery. Jan 26, 2020 among the many ingenious devices found in jefferson s cabinet, this one perhaps most clearly suggests jefferson s passion for knowledge. Bookstand is a linebyline reproduction of the original ingenious device found in thomas jefferson s cabinet, which was made in the joinery at monticello, probably from jefferson s own design. Posts in revolving bookstand thomas jeffersons monticello.
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