Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | May 10, 2012 09:49pm | #1

   I think it would be a huge mistake not to see Colonial Willamsburg in Viginia, you need a full day and may want to spend more time but it will be worth it. It's as though you stepped into a time machine and walked out in the era of the birth of America. There is no other place quite like it. You can walk into various working trade shops plying their craft just as it was done in the 1700's. Make it a priority and budget the time, it will be an experience of a lifetime.

   I believe one of our members, Ray, worked at the Hay cabinet shop in the past. He may see this post and be able to give some insider info.

2. 
   roc | May 10, 2012 10:15pm | #2

   Well if you ask me . . .

   This is where I would go . . .

   It is not any where near me but this is my first choice for a visit :

   http://www.winterthur.org/?p=222

   This episode of Norm Abrams New Yankee Workshop gives a nice video tour of the place.

   They show mostly what you see in the photo in the previous link not so much of the Dutch coffer in the NYWS site photo.

   http://www.newyankee.com/index.php?id=53#ecwid:mode=product&product=7916644

   Brilliant collection.  Individual pieces valued at over a million dollars each.  Take your breath away examples.  Nothing better anywhere.

   well . . . except maybe in The White House.

   I couldn't tell from your description :

   > back to TX by way of the Appalachian Mountains.<

   If that puts you through Colorado,  probably not, but if you will be in Colorado one thing to check out here is :

   http://www.cswoods.com/csw_aboutus.php

1. 
   hammer1 | May 10, 2012 10:45pm | #3

   I grew up just down the road from Winterthur, I'm a member, worked there many moons ago. It's in Delaware which is a bit above Maryland and may be too far for the OP. Adjacent is Longwood gardens. Another fantastic place to visit, almost an American version of the gardens at Versaille. Both places as well as nearby Hagley museum are the work/legacy of the Dupont family. First came to America to make gun powder for the Revolutionary Army at the bequest of George Washington. Should be on everyones list of places to see near Philadelphia. Truly gems extraordinaire.

   Last week was the point to point steeple chase. The horse race is something to see but there is also a show of  fabulous horse drawn carriages and stage coaches that have been restored, driven by their owners all in period dress with teams in all their fancy harnesses. Champagne picnics with white linens on the back of the coaches. Another great time is Christmas when the gardens and museum are decorated and lighted.

1. 
   roc | May 11, 2012 02:11am | #6

   Wow !

   Hammer,

   I bow down to you  sir !

   Very cool.

   Sounds like a great area to see many great events too.

3. 
   BruceS | May 11, 2012 12:18am | #4

   Tour stops

   http://www.gmhg.org/events.htm&nbsp;

   A good Scot wouldn't miss the Grandfather Mtn.  Highland Games  July 12 ( one of the best in the USA )

   But I will also ditto hammer about visiting Colonial Williamsburg,  History at its best and the cabinet shop with craftsmen using period tool will blow you away.

   But a limit of two hours wouldn't do either justice.

4. 
   swenson | May 11, 2012 12:45am | #5

   I live in the Washington DC area and there are hundreds if not thousands of things to see, not all woodworking of course, but I can't think of one that you could do in two hours.  It takes time just to drive to and find many worthwile places.  Williamsburg, one of my favorite all time woodworking sites, does not allow cars in the town so you need several hours just to walk to and from different sites. 

   Quantity doesn't trump quality in my humble opinion.  Otherwise we could put on our running shoes, visit an art museum, run up and down the halls and see all the pictures in two hours.  We could speed read War and Peace and top it off with The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire and be done before lunch

   I wish you well and hope you enjoy your trip.  Hope others give you more help than I did. Let us know what you did when your trip is done..

5. 
   user-999997 | May 14, 2012 09:38am | #7

   Renwick Gallery

   If you're visiting Washington D.C. one of my favorite museums is the Renwick, Smithsonian's museum of American Art.  Plenty of fine woodworking, wood art, and craft in exihibit.  One of the best exihibit they had, IMHO, was the Maloof show!

   http://americanart.si.edu/renwick/

6. 
   Quickstep | May 16, 2012 08:15am | #8

   I would recommend the model ship museum at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD

7. 
   VAM | May 16, 2012 08:09pm | #9

   The museum in Richmond, VA has a nice collection of decorative arts / furniture and two hours is about right.  There is an enormous amount in the Smithsonian branches in Washington, DC but you need days, not hours.  Sounds like you'll be spending a good fraction of your trip in the car.