SAPFM has lost a founding member, an ardent supporter, and a good friend.
Eugene“Gene” E. Landon passed away June 1st, just weeks after suffering a debilitating heart attack at his Montoursville, PA home.
Gene was a prolific and conscientious furniture maker. As a great proponent of learning through observation,he studied original antiques atevery opportunity. The classes and workshops that he offered through Olde Mill Cabinet Shoppe in York, PA were always well-attended and drew students from across the country. Gene will be remembered as an author, as a mentor to many, and as a perennial Colonial furniture devoté.
Gene’s contributions to the craft of traditional cabinetmaking can be seen in many areas. The carved cartouche from one of Gene’s Philadelpia tall case clocks inspired SAPFM’s Cartouche Award and provided the model from which the bronze statuettes are cast.
Gene himself was honored with a Cartouche Award in 2003 for his lifetime of achievements in the field of period furniture making.
While Gene has written many articles for a variety of publications, it is perhaps an article written about Gene (and a handful of other period furniture makers) over 30 years ago that many of us cite as our introduction into this small but vibrant community.
Rick Mastelli’s “In Search of Period Furniture Makers” appeared in the July 1980 issue of Fine Woodworking, helping to establish Gene as one of the fathers of the modern reproductionist movement.
Gene’s recent work included some high-profile commissions using the lumber of the last surviving Liberty Tree, an opportunity of which he was very proud. He had recently chronicled some of these projects in “Reviving the Last Liberty Tree” which appeared in American Period Furniture 2010.
SAPFM expresses its deepest condolences to Gene’s family. He is survived by his wife Jane and his son Benjamin.
Gene has given much to our organization and to the craft of period furniture making, a gift for which we will always be grateful.
