David: So Mike and I went to Old Sturbridge Village this weekend, for a brunch event with Norm Abram, of This Old House and New Yankee Workshop fame.

This truly was an awesome event. Norm, as you may or may not know, is on the Board of Trustees at OSV, and has done a lot to help the museum stay viable. Although the economy is bad right now, thanks in big part to Norm, OSV’s attendance has increased over the past few years. Norm has also filmed segments of New Yankee Workshop at OSV, when he was building a replica of some piece of antique 1830’s furniture from there.

So, of course he was happy to donate his time to speak at this event. It was in honor of a new exhibit of antique furniture at the Village.

After a delicious buffet brunch, after which one would need the best weight loss pills, Norm gave a little talk, and then did a Q & A session. He talked a lot abut his PBS TV shows, how he got started in the woodworking business, and more. YES, his house is filled with furniture that he personally built. And NO, he didn’t reveal the location of The New Yankee Workshop, even though someone asked.

Norm in person is just like he is on TV…what you see is what you get. He is a very nice guy, who is very passionate about what he does, and about OSV.

After the brunch and the talk, he moved on to the museum bookstore, where he was signing books and stuff, and posing for pics. The line was really long, so we went and looked at the new furniture exhibit, walked around the Village, and then went back to get autograph/pic with Norm. We were going to buy one of his books, but they were all sold out…that is how well this event did. But they had handed out free copies of a Fine Woodworking magazine that had Norm on the cover, and he was happy to sign those for us.

We had a really great time. It’s always fun to learn some of the behind the scenes stuff about how favorite TV shows are produced. And to help one of favorite museums at the same time!

Click here to go to there web site.

Source: www.sixgreatstates.com