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17 Art Deco Chair 100x95 Visit the Phil Lowe Library where you can download scans of furniture pieces built by him.

Library
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13 USA Map SAPFM chapters connect local furniture builders throughout the US.

Find A Chapter
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sign up Join for the education. Stay for the camaraderie.

Join Today
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hand shake A list of sponsors who support SAPFM.  Please support them with your business.

Sponsors

Our Story

Furniture Making is in Our Blood

For more than 20 years, The Society of American Period Furniture Makers has been committed to providing our members with the best in fine furniture making education. We provide this service through our symposiums, publications, chapter meetings, and on-line resources.

We are a niche interest in the overall makers movement ...

Our Mission is:

☑ To create a forum for the understanding, education, and appreciation of American period furniture.

☑ To develop and encourage the use of standards and ethical practices in the reproduction and conservation of period furniture.

☑ To offer membership to all with an interest in period furniture.

☑ To assist members with the identification and location of resources including people or organizations having specialized expertise.

☑ To conduct public exhibitions for the recognition of members’ work.

What is American Period Furniture?

Though a relatively young nation, America has enjoyed a rich array of furniture period styles. Some have been been heavily influenced by Europe and Asia, while others are uniquely American. Join us for a walk through furniture history from pilgrim times to the present.

Membership Has its Benefits

Members enjoy many benefits. Some of these include our annual printed "American Period Furniture" journal and our quarterly electronic "Pins and Tales" magazine. You will have full access to our online resources including articles, curated lists, downloads, and more. There are 2 national events every year and access to any meeting hosted by local chapters throughout the country.

American Period Furniture Journal

Published annually by the SAPFM, contributors include members and guest authors. It is the only trade publication devoted exclusively to the interests of period furniture makers. Contents include how-to articles, biographies of important cabinetmakers, analyses of important pieces, and articles dealing with historical topics in period furniture making. Just as SAPFM is a unique organization, our journal is a unique publication.
Upcoming SAPFM Events
Many of our events are open to guests. Attending a local chapter meeting is a great way to learn more about SAPFM.
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SAVE THE DATE! The SAPFM Mid-Year Conference is scheduled for Friday, 10 October through Sunday, 12 October. The Cartouche Banquet will be held on Friday night.
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Additional detail will be announced as they become available.
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The Ohio River Valley Chapter will meet on Saturday and Sunday, April 5th and 6th, at the Columbus Woodcraft.
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The next Great Lakes Chapter meeting has been set for March 22, 2025 at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute in Adrian, Michigan. The agenda will include
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  The long awaited Chapter Meeting with Ray Journigan, SAPFM's Cartouche Award winner in 2018, is within sight.   Time:  Coffee and Camaraderie starts at 09:00. Meeting ends mid afternoon.  Agenda:   Show and...
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SAPFM is a primary sponsor of Colonial Williamsburg's annual conference, "Working Wood in the 18th Century"
Announcements
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07 October 2024
For 2024, we had 3 openings for the SAPFM Board of Directors due to expiring terms.  The nominating period concluded on October 15th with only two candidates.  Therefore per our by-laws, both...
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03 February 2024
The entire SAPFM Board wants to thank all entrants for the 2023 Phil Lowe Makers Challenge. We were fortunate this year to have twenty-nine members willing to take the time and effort to submit...
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28 September 2023
The Educational Grants committee has announced two awards for 2023. Awards of $2000 each go to Bonnie Hawk of Frederick, Maryland and Wilson Newman of Defiance, Ohio.
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12 March 2023
SAPFM member Bob Baker is featured on Episode 64 of The Highland Woodworker's MOMENT WITH A MASTER.
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04 October 2022
The Society of American Period Furniture Makers has announced the recipient of the 2023 Cartouche Award, Daniel Faia of East Wakefield, New Hampshire.
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27 August 2022
The Yale University Art Gallery has made this wonderful 500-page book available for free download at the following link:
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30 November 2021
The Society of American Period Furniture Makers (SAPFM) has announced that Charles (Chuck) Bender of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania is the recipient of the 2022 Cartouche Award.
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25 April 2018
The MESDA Journal(www.mesdajournal.org) has published groundbreaking research on early southern decorative arts and material culture since 1975. Articles in the MESDA Journal are available free...
Phil Low and Scott Severns

Join SAPFM Today

SAPFM is here for you. We are dedicated to fine period furniture craftsmanship. Membership provides an opportunity to meet like-minded furniture makers, share information, and expand appreciation and abilities in making furniture. Collectors, enthusiasts, and academics have an opportunity to learn how furniture was made, how skills were acquired, how materials were used, and construction process and procedures.

Join SAPFM
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