Deacon's Bench

 

Need to get busy on my winter projects before I run out of winter.  One of those projects is to write down the history of my 'heirlooms'.  Heirlooms in this case doesn't mean a thing has intrinsic value but something which has a sentimental value to me.  Instead of writing a free-hand note,  I thought it would be better to have a standard list of information I should provide about each piece.  I'll include a physical description, date & who created it, date I acquired, how did I get it, previous owners, and anything I know that is special about it.  I'll sign and date the note, put it in an envelope, and tape it to the back or bottom of each piece.  For this deacon's bench I'll note it's dimentions and that it is handmade out of pine.  It's seat is attached w/ a piano hinge and there is storage inside.  It was created in the early 1960's by my grandfather Emil T. Mayer.  He made it as a 'hope chest' for me. He first made one for my sister and I remember watching him work on that one in the shed.  His plans called for a heart-shaped cutout in the top.  I remember fingering the cutout he had made in my sister's  bench and telling him I would have made the back plainer.  I didn't realize he was going to make one for me too  When he did, it had no cutout.