Uploaded July 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Writing boxes were common artifacts in the 18th century. They were carried around for correspondence and business during travels. In this class students will have the opportunity to recreate the most famous writing box from that period, the Declaration Desk. Many believe it was this desk upon which Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in the second floor of the Graff House on 7th and Market in old Philadelphia in 1776. Although Ed will demonstrate some of the techniques he uses when making his reproductions, this will not be a technique class. It is part project and part history. Students will make the desk the way the old guys did in the 18th century, entirely with hand tools. No machines allowed. The wood will be precut to finished size by MASW staff so joinery will begin at the start of class. Joinery will include eight rabbets, four hinge mortises, installing a half mortise in a drawer front, dovetails, inlays and some dados. These will be fairly small joints as the desk in only about 14” x 9” and 3 ½” high. Imagine a drawer with five pins and four tails half-blind in a 1 ¾” high drawer front. “Sounds like fun to me!” This very unique experience will be garnished with short talks about the desk, its’ place in history, and some interesting facts about the Declaration of Independence, its creation and meaning. Students should be able to finish the desk in the week, but if not, they will have all of the information and materials necessary.to complete the desk at leisure in their own shop.
More about this instructor:
Ed Zappen, retired USAF Lt. Col and Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge, has enjoyed a lifelong interest in the Law, American History, and woodworking. He is especially interested in recreating 18th century furniture. In 2008 Ed learned that Thomas Jefferson’s writing box on which he wrote the Declaration of Independence was on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. He contacted the Smithsonian and was eventually put in touch with Harry Rubenstein, a Curator at the Museum. Even though the museum was closed to the public at that time he was able to travel to the museum on two separate occasions to view, measure, and photograph (but never touch) Jefferson’s actual writing desk. Thrill of a lifetime! Ed has also presented numerous programs throughout Wisconsin to schools, civic clubs, historical societies, and libraries about the desk and its place in history. His effort is born out of respect and interest in the creation of the Great Charter of our Independence and the foundations of our Democratic Republic. Having attended MASW for many years, Ed earned his Master’s in 2013. He is a friendly guy with a great sense of humor and is very likely to engage students in friendly teasing.
To register for classes visit us at marcadams.com
Subscribe to our channel for all the latest at MASW!
Go to our Website: marcadams.com
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/marcadamsschoolofwoodworking
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/The.MASW
#workshop #woodworking #woodworker #finewoodworking #woodworkingschool #indianapolis #indiana #indy
Writing boxes were common artifacts in the 18th century. They were carried around for correspondence and business during travels. In this class students will have the opportunity to recreate the most famous writing box from that period, the Declaration Desk. Many believe it was this desk upon which Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in the second floor of the Graff House on 7th and Market in old Philadelphia in 1776. Although Ed will demonstrate some of the techniques he uses when making his reproductions, this will not be a technique class. It is part project and part history. Students will make the desk the way the old guys did in the 18th century, entirely with hand tools. No machines allowed. The wood will be precut to finished size by MASW staff so joinery will begin at the start of class. Joinery will include eight rabbets, four hinge mortises, installing a half mortise in a drawer front, dovetails, inlays and some dados. These will be fairly small joints as the desk in only about 14” x 9” and 3 ½” high. Imagine a drawer with five pins and four tails half-blind in a 1 ¾” high drawer front. “Sounds like fun to me!” This very unique experience will be garnished with short talks about the desk, its’ place in history, and some interesting facts about the Declaration of Independence, its creation and meaning. Students should be able to finish the desk in the week, but if not, they will have all of the information and materials necessary.to complete the desk at leisure in their own shop.
More about this instructor:
Ed Zappen, retired USAF Lt. Col and Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge, has enjoyed a lifelong interest in the Law, American History, and woodworking. He is especially interested in recreating 18th century furniture. In 2008 Ed learned that Thomas Jefferson’s writing box on which he wrote the Declaration of Independence was on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. He contacted the Smithsonian and was eventually put in touch with Harry Rubenstein, a Curator at the Museum. Even though the museum was closed to the public at that time he was able to travel to the museum on two separate occasions to view, measure, and photograph (but never touch) Jefferson’s actual writing desk. Thrill of a lifetime! Ed has also presented numerous programs throughout Wisconsin to schools, civic clubs, historical societies, and libraries about the desk and its place in history. His effort is born out of respect and interest in the creation of the Great Charter of our Independence and the foundations of our Democratic Republic. Having attended MASW for many years, Ed earned his Master’s in 2013. He is a friendly guy with a great sense of humor and is very likely to engage students in friendly teasing.
To register for classes visit us at marcadams.com
Subscribe to our channel for all the latest at MASW!
Go to our Website: marcadams.com
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/marcadamsschoolofwoodworking
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/The.MASW
#workshop #woodworking #woodworker #finewoodworking #woodworkingschool #indianapolis #indiana #indy
