Our Story

Serving the Woodworking Community Since 1990

The Guild was founded on April 28, 1990, when Paul Tuller and John McAlevey called a meeting at John’s shop in Warner, NH. Fourteen woodworkers were present, including Terry Moore, David Lamb, Roy Noyes, Steve Cunliffe, Jon Siegel, Jere Osgood, John Skewes and David Emerson. The group agreed that although the League of NH Craftsmen was doing great things, it was time for a new organization dedicated solely to woodworkers.

At that meeting the group drafted a mission statement that has changed little, establishing goals that became the cornerstones of the Guild: woodworkers would help educate each other by working as a community, tying it together with periodic meetings and the creation of a Communication newsletter.

John Skewes led the first meeting, where he showed the group how he made Windsor chairs. At the second meeting, Paul Tuller taught about the Japanese style. Jon Siegel did a woodturning demonstration at the third meeting–the first to be filmed (by Peter Bloch)–and that was the start of the Guild’s video library. Jon Siegel started the newsletter, naming it The Old Saw. About two years later, Jon turned it over to Roy Noyes, who was editor from 1992 to 2002.

The first president of the Guild was John Skewes, followed by Terry Moore, Jon Siegel, Wayne Marcoux, Ted Blachly, and Loran Smith. In this period, the Guild had great momentum, growing to over 200 members. During this time, Roy Noyes was very influential in steering the goals of the organization.

Created as a way for local woodworkers to meet and share their individual skills and knowledge, the Guild has since grown to include more than 750 members and expanded its programs, while staying true to its core mission–to teach and encourage others who share a passion for woodworking.

The Guild is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in New Hampshire.

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Our Mission

The Guild is an association of professionals and amateurs bound by a common interest in woodworking. Members share their knowledge, skills and experience, bringing together the diverse interests of the woodworking community through regular meetings, lectures, demonstrations, a video library of those demonstrations, publications, exhibitions and other educational activities.

Guild Meetings

Educational Meetings

In a typical year, there are over 60 meetings to choose from, the majority of them Subgroup meetings dedicated to a variety of special interests. Most are held throughout the state of NH, although some have been held in nearby states.

General Meetings

Typically, the Guild has up to four major meetings per year, usually on a Saturday in September, November, February and April. These may be single or multi-presenter demonstrations or presentations. Topics have included everything from furniture design to “how-to” presentations on dovetails, compound laminations, sharpening, Windsor chair making and more. Officers are elected at our annual meeting in September where there is also a tool auction or flea market to benefit the Guild Operating Fund.

Special Interest Subgroup Meetings

These groups plan their own meetings and other activities, typically meeting three to six (or more) times per year at shops and other facilities around the state. Learn more about our subgroups here.

Small Meetings

As the Guild has grown and attendance at Guild meetings increased, we found it more and more difficult to meet in member shops. Many missed the opportunity of visiting other shops and the more intimate setting. To fill this void, twice a month, give or take, we schedule small meetings, each with a different topic.

TESTIMONIALS

The GNHW partnership I have enjoyed over my twelve-year tenure as the woodshop instructor at Pinkerton Academy has been instrumental to the success of my program. For me GIS is a natural progression of mentorship, maintenance support and networking that allows me to keep craftsmanship relevant and accessible in the classroom.

—Steve Sackmann, CTE Instructor Pinkerton Academy

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in organizing this program. It is a wonderful initiative that allows young men and women to learn from such talented individuals. Thank you once again for facilitating this invaluable experience.

—Thomas Moore, STEM Teacher, Lebanon High School

LEADERSHIP & ROLES

The Guild is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of nine to thirteen members, including four annually elected officers.
Subgroups are special interest groups approved by the Board. Subgroup Leaders are chosen by the members of these subgroups. A wide variety of Volunteer Positions are manned by individuals approved by the Board.