Zappen shares love of history, woodworking
Wood County Circuit Court Judge Edward F. Zappen Jr. has combined his love of American history with his love of woodworking by building a replica of Thomas Jefferson's writing desk. Now he is sharing his work as a visiting speaker at Wisconsin libraries.
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Wood County Circuit Court Judge Edward Zappen Jr. works on his replica of Thomas Jefferson’s writing desk in his workshop. (Photo: Tom Loucks, Wisconsin Rapids Daily-Tribune)
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When Zappen, who has been making 18th Century reproduction furniture for years, read an article about Thomas Jefferson's small writing desk, he decided to make one. The desk is a reproduction of the small desk Jefferson designed and used while drafting the Declaration of Independence. Zappen calls the portable desk an "18th Century laptop."
No drawings of plans exist for the desk, so Zappen has had to rely on research to make it as accurate as possible. Zappen was able to view the original desk made in 1776, at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The museum is closed for remodeling, but Zappen was invited by the curator to view the desk, which had to be removed from storage. He was also allowed to take photos of the original desk to help with his own design.
One of the biggest challenges in creating the desk is the lack of hardware. Zappen has been able to purchase some of the hardware from a company that specializes in reproductions.
Retired District II Court of Appeals Staff Attorney Ronald Hofer is contributing to the project by making hinges for the desk. Hofer is a metalworker by hobby. "The hinges are unique and no one has been able to make reproductions. Ron showed me some prototypes and I think that he may have done it," Zappen said.
Since completing the reproduction last May, Zappen has been invited to various libraries around the state to show his desk and talk about the history of the original desk and the writing of the Declaration of Independence. He has returned to the National Museum of American History with his recreation, where he was given additional materials to use in his presentations.
Zappen is currently working on a new reproduction of Thomas Jefferson's writing desk, hoping to make this version even more accurate. He has been invited back to the National Museum of American History this summer when it reopens to take more pictures, and he hopes to take a few measurements, too. The original desk is currently on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum during the National Museum of American History's renovation.
Zappen also hopes to write a book on the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence and the history of the desk it was drafted on, but family projects, like toy boxes for his grandchildren, are currently at the top of his priority list.
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